Duterte greets Muslims as Ramadan starts today

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has expressed confidence the devotion and sacrifices of the country’s Muslim community will affirm their commitment to foster unity and solidarity with their fellowmen regardless of religion and creed, especially at the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan today.

“Let this occasion give us peace amidst the adversity and challenges we face each day, as you embody the religious insights and epiphanies you have gleaned from this undertaking, may you be moved to advance our collective resolve to eschew misguided ideologies so that we may achieve a truly progressive and inclusive society,” the President said in a statement yesterday.

“As you read the revelations of Allah with renewed dedication and vigor, may the sacred text inspire you to further lead a life of purity and clarity,” he said.

Muslims in the country begin today the observance of the Ramadan season without the nightly taraweeh prayer in mosques, as precaution against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Bangsamoro chief minister Hadji Murad Ebrahim yesterday urged the region’s five provinces to include in their supplications an immediate end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sometimes trials come our way for us to bounce back as better persons after every hardship,” Ebrahim said. – With Christina Mendez, John Unson