MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 14 (PIA) -- The entire Muslim community is set to celebrate Amon Jadid or Islamic New Year tomorrow, November 15.
The National Commission in Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said the date corresponds to the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar or Hijrah marking the migration Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in Saudi Arabia.
In line with this, the NCMF announced that November 15, 2012 is declared as legal Muslim holiday to commemorate the significance of the day.
This is by virtue of Article 169 of Presidential Decree No. 1083 or the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines, the NCMF said.
Accordingly, the holiday shall be officially observed in the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.
The cities of Cotabato, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian, and Zamboanga are also to observe the holiday per Article 170 of the Presidential Decree.
P.D. 1083 also provides that all Muslim government official and employees in places other than those enumerated under Article 170 shall be excused from reporting to office in order that they may be able to observe the holiday, the NCMF said.
The Civil Service Commission has also issued CSC Resolution No 81-1277 dated November 18, 1981 recognizing the Islamic holiday, the NCMF further said.
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