COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins today, with Muslims required to fast from dawn to dusk as well as perform good works.
Ramadan starts with the sighting of the new moon on the last day of the Islamic month of Shaban.
Fasting is one of the so-called Five Pillars of Islam, which include affirmation of belief in Allah, praying five times a day facing Mecca, alms giving or zakat, and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) at least once in a lifetime, especially for those with means.
“This season is for offering prayers for peace, unity in religious diversity and most importantly, for reflections on the importance of self-restraint as a guide to achieve oneness with Allah and with people regardless of religions and races,” said Hadji Nash Abpi, a senior official of the Land Transportation Office in Maguindanao, who performed the hajj recently.
Abpi, who resides in Datu Odin town in Maguindanao, owns a small mosque in his property which he opens to neighbors 24 hours daily for the whole duration of Ramadan.
Maguindanao Vice Gov. Dustin Mastura said employees of the provincial board, which he chairs, should report for work early without noon break so they can leave for home before 4:00 p.m. and have enough time to prepare for their bukah, or first meal at sunset.
Mastura, whose family owns an Islamic school in Maguindanao’s Sultan Kudarat town, said Muslims believe it was during the month of Ramadan when the Qur’an was sent down by Allah from heaven to Muslim prophet Mohammad through an angel, Jibrail, or the Archangel Gabriel to Christians.
Mastura said historians have written much about great battles fought and won during the Ramadan by forces of Islam.
The sick, the elderly, lactating mothers, menstruating women, and those traveling to far places, are exempted from fasting.
A multi-awarded Muslim physician, Kadil Sinolinding Jr., said fasting is good for health.
“It cleanses the body of excessive sugar, cholesterol and uric acid and, thus, makes one healthy,” said Sinolinding, the regional health secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
ARMM police Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag said they would take advantage of the Ramadan to broker the settlement of some long-time clan wars involving big families in the region.
“This is the season for forgiving, season for reconciling with enemies,” Latag said.
Latag said he has placed the entire ARMM under tight watch to ensure a peaceful observance of Ramadan.