September 10, end of Ramadan, a holiday, By GENALYN KABILING and LESLIE ANN AQUINO (Manila, Philippines)

President Aquino has declared September 10, Friday, a regular holiday in the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The holiday declaration on Eid’l Fitr was contained in Proclamation No. 26 signed by the President last Thursday.

“To promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr,” the proclamation read.

“In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of the national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Friday, September 10, 2010, as a regular holiday throughout the country,” it added.

Eid’l Fitr, an Islamic festival of renewal, reconciliation and peace that marks the end of the holy month of fasting, is a regular holiday in the country based on Republic Act No. 9177. The proclamation noted that the Muslim world celebrates Eid’l Fitr for three days after the end of the month of fasting.

This year, the date for the celebration of Eid’l Fitr for 2010 has been determined to fall on Friday, September 10.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos earlier recommended to Malacañang to declare September 10 as holiday to observe Eid’l Fitr.

This developed as Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Pena will join three Muslim non-government organizations (NGOs) in distributing food and gifts, consisting of toiletries, to prisoners in the provincial and city jail on Tuesday, September 7.

“This is to show them that we Christians are sympathizing with them,” Dela Pena said, over Church-run Radyo Veritas 846 on Friday. “We will give the food in the evening because they don’t eat in the morning…” he added.

Dela Pena said that the food distribution program also coincides with the Feast of the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“The Maranaos also have high regards for Mama Mary, so we want her to serve as a bridge for unity,” Dela Pena said.

But the prelate stressed that this is not the first time that Christians and Muslims will join forces in a program since they also cooperated in other programs during Christmas.

“We do this program during the Ramadan but during Christmas, they also coordinate with us. They also join us in giving gifts,” said Dela Pena.