‘Eid-el-Fitr may fall on July 6

Muslims praying ‘the eid inside the Bangsamoro People’s Complex. FILE PHOTO

By THE NEW RANAO STAR REPORTORIAL TEAM
Marawi City, Philippines
June 26, 2016

‘Eidul-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr, Eid ul-Fitr, Id-Ul-Fitr, etc) is the first day of the Hijrah month of Shawwal.

It marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer. Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food) during Eid al-Fitr.

Eidul Fitr is an important celebration for Filipino Muslims, marking the end of the month-long fast during Ramadan and marks the beginning of the month Shawwal.

Eidu-Fitr may be translated into Tagalog as “Wakas ng Ramadan” and “Pagtatapos ng Pag-aayuno,” it is a national public holiday for all in the Philippines.

This year, it may fall on July 6 depending on the sighting of the new moon in the eve of July 5.

‘Eidul Fitr is one of the two major festivals in Islam marked by over a billion Muslims all over the globe. The other is ‘Eidul Adha, which marks the culmination of haj or performance of pilgrimage to Makkah.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan and Performing haj to Makkah are two of the five pillars of Islam.

The other three pillars are: Shahadah (declaration in the oneness of Allah and that He alone is to be worshipped); Salaah (performance of the daily five ritual prayers; and the giving of Zaqah (obligatory charity).

Eidul Fitr has been proclaimed a national holiday in the Philippines since 2002, and was the first predominantly Christian country to do so.

This proclamation was made to foster peace and goodwill between major religions in the Philippines.

Eidul Fitr is celebrated using the Islamic calendar “Hijra” and is also dependant on the lunar calendar, or based on the movement of the moon.

The combination of these means that the date to celebrate Eidul Fitr constantly changes.

It is the duty of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) to inform the Office of the President on which date in the Gregorian calendar it should fall.

For Muslim Filipinos, Eidul Fitr marks the end of fasting during Ramadan.

On this day, it is forbidden to fast as it is a day of celebration.

On this day, they give the obligatory charity in the form of food known as “zakat al-fitr” and listen to special sermons on the occasion.

After attending this gathering, many families choose to celebrate with a feast with their extended family and friends.

In Muslim countries, celebrations last weeks oreven months. The New Ranao Star