Eidul Adha now a national holiday

MANILA, Philippines - The Islamic holiday of Eidul Adha is now a national holiday.

Republic Act 9849, signed by President Arroyo last Dec. 11, included Eidul Adha among the country’s regular holidays because of the significance of the date for the members of the Islamic faith.

Eidul Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Zhul Hijja, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.

“It is the 10th day in the month of Hajj or Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca wherein Muslims pay homage to Abraham’s supreme act of sacrifice and signifies mankind’s obedience to God,” the law states.

The Administrative Code of 1987 was amended by the new law in order to include Eidul Adha among the regular holidays.

Eidul Adha now joins New Year’s Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Eidul Fitr, Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan and Corregidor Day), Labor Day, Independence Day, National Heroes Day, Christmas Day, Bonifacio Day, and Rizal Day.

The nationwide special holidays will remain the same as follows: Ninoy Aquino Day, All Saints Day, and the last day of the year.

In the event the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday of that week.

If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday that follows, provided that for movable holidays, the President shall issue a proclamation at least six months prior to the holiday concerned.

The implementation of RA 9849 will be supervised by the Office on Muslim Affairs, which will promulgate the rules and regulations pursuant to the provisions of the new law.