Duterte urges Muslim Filipinos: Remain as instruments of love
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 05 Jun 2019 09:10:46 +0000
A WOMAN carries a child during the Eid’l Fitr prayers to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila yesterday. (Ali Vicoy)
President Duterte urged Muslim Filipinos to continue being instruments of love and peace in his message for Eid’l Fitr yesterday.
Duterte noted that the solemn occasion binds the Muslim community together.
“The entire Filipino nation joins them as they offer prayers of praise and thanksgiving as well as demonstrate the virtues of Islamic faith in accordance with the teachings of Allah through the Quran,” he said.
Duterte asked Muslim Filipinos to observe Eid’l Fitr as a time for reflection, enlightenment, and renewal of commitment to a much stronger devotion to the Almighty.
He also hopes that Muslims in the Philippines will continue to be one with the government in promoting peace in the country.
“Take this opportunity to deepen your role as instruments of love, sacrifice, respect, and selfless service and may each of you remain our government’s partner in promoting peace and understanding among Filipinos from all walks of life,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde also greeted Muslim Filipinos on Eid’l Fitr. “I extend the warmest holiday greetings Selamat Hariraya Puasa to all our Filipino Muslim brothers and sisters,” Albayalde said.
“This joyous occasion marks a distinct character of Filipino culture that observes high respect for religious freedom that affords unity and equality for all regardless of faith or ethnic divisions,” he added.
Albayalde cited the 9,000 Muslim policemen in the PNP for playing a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of the public, specifically in Mindanao.
He said the celebration of Eid’l Fitr remained solemn all throughout the country while police forces stayed on alert especially in mosques and other religious places.
The PNP chief also hopes that Muslims will do away with the traditional practice of celebratory gunfire to mark the religious occasion. “Police units will strictly enforce operative laws against indiscriminate firing, especially so that a nationwide election gun ban remains in effect until the culmination of the election period on June 12,” he said.
Eid’l Fitr, also called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims for three days worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
Eid’l Fitr has been recognized by the government as a regular holiday through Republic Act No. 9177 and Presidential Proclamation No. 1083. (Argyll Geducos and Martin A. Sadongdong)