Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 25) — Muslim Filipinos joined more than a billion Muslims around the world in celebrating the end of the holy month Ramadan on Sunday.
In Quiapo, thousands of Muslims went to the Manila Golden Mosque, one of the 25 mosques in Metro Manila – and the biggest, being able to hold around 3,000 worshippers – for the morning prayer.
Muslims celebrate Eid’l Fitr in different ways, depending on their cultural background and traditional values.
This morning’s celebration began with an early morning congregational prayer and sermon at the mosque.
At the Manila Golden Mosque, prayers started at six in the morning.
After the prayers, many visited friends and family members, shared gifts and attended community celebrations.
The mood was festive and alive as Muslim men shook hands, hugged, and kissed each other on the cheek.
Restaurants in the area were filled with Muslim families and friends who shared food together in celebration of Eid’l Fitr.
Some streets were closed to traffic as tables were set-up outside restaurants to accommodate Muslims marking the occasion.
During this time, Muslims were reminded to practice virtues such as patience, perseverance, and hard work.
They said Islam teaches these virtues and urged their fellow Muslims to follow the way of Islam, particularly in practicing discipline and patience in their lives.
Some also wished for peace and forgiveness.
Jamil Buscayno said, “Masaya ang mga Muslim sa ngayon dahilan sa natupad nila yung isang kautusan na napakahalaga so ito ay nagbubunga ng kapatawaran sa isa’t isa at saka pag-ibig.”
[Translation: Muslims are happy right now because they have fulfilled one of their important obligation, so this results in forgiveness in each as well as love.]
“Namiss po namin pero nakakalungkot din kasi tapos na yung Ramadan… Andun kasi sa Ramadan ‘yung mga gantimpala, mga rewards na binibigay ng Allah to all believers,” said Jamer Tanog.
[Translation: We missed it but it’s also sad because Ramadan is over… In Ramadan are the rewards Allah grants to all believers.]
Muslims must also fulfill their zakat or the act of giving alms to the needy as one of the five pillars of Islam. Outside the mosque, For this purpose, Muslim community leaders set up booths seeking donations for civilian victims in Marawi.
Many of them condemn the violence that’s happening in the Islamic city.
They tell their Muslim brothers and sisters there to stay strong amid the crisis.
More than 500 police personnel, including a special reaction unit, were deployed to secure the morning celebrations in Manila.
More police were visible outside the Golden Mosque and around the entire Quiapo area.
Security checkpoints were also set up in almost every corner of Quiapo. where policemen inspected every vehicle that passed by, but the celebrations were generally peaceful.
Marking the end of Ramadan
Muslims in other parts of the country celebrated Eid’l Fitr in the shadow of the crisis in Marawi.
Thousands of residents in Cotabato City joined the congrgational prayer that marked the end of Ramadan.
People arrived At the Peoples Palace (City Hall), Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School, Cotabato City State Polytechnic College, Sultan Bolkiah Grand Mosque, and other open spaces to perform the Edil Fit’r prayer.
Personnel of the Cotabato City Police Office, Task force Kutawato and the 5th Special Forces Battalion were deployed outside and inside the venue to ensure the safety of all Islam believers performing their religious obligation.
Muslim communities in Cebu celebrated Eidl Fitr with two gatherings this morning.
One was held at the Plaza Independencia organized by the Cebu City government and another at a downtown hotel by the Association of Cebu Muslim Professionals.
Cebu City officials led by Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Cebu Congressman Raul Del Mar joined the celebrations with the Cebuano Muslims at tha Plaza Independencia.
Stringer Erwin Cabilbigan contributed to this story.
