Sulu Muslim community observes Ramadan
JOLO, Sulu — The Sulu Ulama Council for Peace and Development (SUCPD) and other religious groups in the province officially declared fasting as they welcome this year’s observance of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement, Sulu Governor
Abdusakur Tan said that religious groups were able to see the moon during the moonsighting on Monday at St. Mauboh Beach in Patikul, Sulu at 6 p.m., signaling the start of the 30-day fasting on Tuesday. Considered as the 30th of Shaban in the Hijra Calendar holiest month, Ramadan is filled with historic and spiritual importance to the lives of every Muslim around the world — from the revelation of the Noble Qur’an to the virtues brought upon by fasting – and is considered a time of reflection, discipline and faith in the Almighty Allah. Except for Egypt and Turkey, other Muslim countries have the same scheduled date for the moonsighting.
“I wish to extend my prayers and greetings to the entire Muslim Ummah especially here in this province,” Tan said.
He added that the observance of Ramadan this year will be like last year — as everybody must observe the basic health protocols with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) still prevalent in the country.
“To my constituents here in the province particularly those Muslim, May Allah accept your fast, prayers, almsgiving and all your good deeds as the spirit and blessings of the holy month of Ramadan be with you,” Tan said.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar also extended his message for the Muslim community in observance of Ramadan.
“We join our Muslim brothers and sisters in this period of heightened spiritual devotion and worship to the Most Gracious and Most Merciful Allah as they observe the start of Ramadan,” Andanar said.
“This occasion calls for a time of contemplation and reflection — a solemn period for them to revisit the revelations of Allah with renewed faith and commitment. May Allah’s holy teachings be a guiding light for our fellow Muslims towards leading a life of purity and clarity,” he added.
Ramadan is filled with historic and spiritual importance to the lives of every Muslim around the world.
The PCOO chief also noted that the country should take this time to foster unity, peace and solidarity among Filipinos at this time when the country is enduring the impacts of Covid-19.
“We ask everyone who will be observing Ramadan to continue following the minimum health standards for us to rise and recover as one nation,” Andanar said.