CEBU, Philippines - The Muslim community celebrated the first day of Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadan yesterday with prayers for world peace following the bombing incidents that occurred in the Philippines and other countries.
Barangay Mambaling Al-Khairiah Mosque administrator Imam Aladdin Ubpon, in a supplication prayer, said they are hoping for world peace and enlightenment for the people who create chaos and disunity among believers.
“Ma-Muslim man or Christian, dapat wa na nang mga ingon ana. Gusto ta nga magpuyo aning kalibutan nga malinawon,†he said. (It does not matter whether one is Muslim or Christian, all of us should be able to live in peace.)
Recently, at least 14 fatalities were reported in the explosions in two areas in the Philippines. Six were killed in Cagayan De Oro, mostly medical doctors and health workers attending a conference, while eight died in the car bombing in Cotabato City that wounded 40 others.
In Southwestern Pakistan, a suicide bomber detonated at a policeman’s funeral, killing 38 people and leaving 50 others wounded. A blast in eastern Afghanistan, on the other hand, also killed 14 during a gathering of mourners of the late wife of a prominent pro-government tribal leader.
In a report from Agence France-Presse, Syed Ali Geelani, a top separatist leader of an Indian-administered state of Kashmir, called for “peace protests†against “state terrorismâ€.
Eid’l Fitr is a three-day celebration of the Muslims which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The fasting month of Ramadan began last July 9.
The end of Ramadan is a non-working holiday throughout the country as provided by the Republic Act No. 9177, declaring a national holiday for the observance of the Muslim World celebration of Eid’l Fitr. (FREEMAN)