Metro Manila, Philippines – The Muslim community in the country will begin Ramadan, considered one of the sacred observances of Islam, on Thursday, Feb. 19.
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani of the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta, the Islamic authority, made the declaration after the crescent moon was not sighted across the country on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
The Philippines joins the observance of Ramadan on Thursday with other Southeast Asian neighbors such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Saudi Arabia and several Gulf nations began Ramadan on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
The Islamic calendar is lunar, which means the months begin with the sighting of the first crescent of a new moon.
Muslims will hold month-long fasting, communal prayer, reflection, and other community activities during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
“As we enter this sacred month, may our hearts be filled with faith, patience, and compassion,” National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Secretary Sabbudin Abdurahim said.
“Ramadan reminds us to strengthen our connection with Allah, uplift the less fortunate, and promote unity within our Ummah,” he said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also joined Muslims worldwide in the observance of Ramadan.
“During these blessed hours, may you find an opportunity to reinvigorate your solidarity and rekindle your shared concern for one another,” Marcos said.
“Continue becoming a vessel of kindness, understanding, and empowerment throughout this sacred month and beyond,” he said.
As of 2020, the country has around 6.9 million Muslims, or 6.4 percent of the population, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
