Islamic City of Marawi (18 September) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared September 21 (Monday) as regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid'l Fitr, a Muslim feast which marks the end of Ramadhan.
The declaration of Eid'l Fitr as a regular holiday aims to promote cultural understanding and integration giving the entire Filipino nation the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the celebration.
According to the President, declaring the day also stresses the religious and cultural significance of the Eid'l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness.
Eid'l Fitr is celebrated by Muslim communities for three days after the end of the month of fasting.
The start of the feast falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month that follows Ramadhan. The date has been determined by the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) as falling on September 21 in accordance with the Islamic lunar calendar.
Ramadhan is a holy month in the Islamic lunar calendar where Muslims across the globe fast from dawn to sunset every day. It is the time where they refocus their attention to God and practiced self-sacrifice
