Muslims begin Ramadan
COTABATO CITY – “Fast when you see the new moon, break your fast when you see the new moon.”
This is what Muslims in Mindanao and in other states within the Pacific timeline began doing yesterday, the first day of Ramadan, as preached by Mohammad, Islam’s legendary progenitor.
Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during the Ramadan, which lasts for one lunar cycle, about 28 to 29 days, both as atonement for sins and as a religious obligation.
Fasting during the Ramadan, a holy month among Muslims, is one of the “five pillars” of the Islamic faith.
The other four pillars are
total submission to Allah; praying five times a day facing west; giving of zakat (alms) to the poor, and going to Makkah, Saudi Arabia for the hajj (pilgrimage) at least once in a lifetime for those who can afford the cost of travel.
This year’s Ramadan for Filipino Muslims started on Sunday night, after clerics in different areas in Malaysia had sighted the crescent moon, marking the end of the Islamic month of Shaban and the beginning of the fasting season.
Physically fit Muslims are obliged to fast from dawn to dusk during the Ramadan.
Couples are also to abstain from sex during the day for the whole month.
Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, in a Ramadan message, called on his local executives to reach out to their poor constituents in keeping with the tenets of Ramadan, during which Muslims are to focus on charitable activities.
“Let this Ramadan season be a time for healing,” he said.
“Let us put away the political animosities we had during the recent electoral exercise in the province of Maguindanao. Let us move on and start again as siblings in faith.”
Mangudadatu said Maguindanaons should also include in their Ramadan prayers supplications for the Mindanao peace process to succeed under the administration of president- elect Rodrigo Duterte.
“Let us also pray for the new president to succeed in his avowed mission to foster peace in our homeland, the Bangsamoro, being a Mindanaon himself,” he said.
Dr. Kadil Sinoliding Jr., regional health secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said fasting for more than 10 hours daily for one month is also good for the health.
“It can boost the immune system and lower sugar and cholesterol in the blood,” said Sinolinding, an ethnic Maguindanaon Sunni Muslim.
Sinolinding said Muslims observing the Ramadan should drink enough water and fruit juices after “buka,” the first meal after a day-long fast.
Lactating mothers, sick people, the elderly and children are all exempted from fasting during Ramadan.
Duterte and Misuari
President-elect Duterte may not push through his meeting with the fugitive Nur Misuari in Sulu, according to a security source.
The source, who asked not to be named as he is not in authority to speak, said Duterte has been advised about the possible repercussion of his meeting.
It was not clear if the guidance on Duterte was due to the standing case of Misuari or due to the security operation of government forces against the Abu Sayyaf to rescue the remaining hostages.
“The incoming president has also his own reservations,” the source said.
Duterte earlier planned to see Misuari right in his enclave in Sulu after a team Misuari had sent failed to meet with Duterte to relay his congratulatory message.
Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco- Salazar and the city government were wary over the reported meeting since the government has a standing case against Misuari and close to 200 of his suspected followers in connection with the bloody and devastating September 2013 siege in the city.
The military said they are prepared to provide the needed security for Duterte as the incoming president and commander- in- chief of the Armed Forces.
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo de la Cruz said they will do their best to secure whoever comes to Mindanao, especially the President.
Last March, President Aquino visited Sumisip in Basilan, he added.
De la Cruz said it is the duty of the President to see as much as possible all his constituents.
“So we will provide all the necessary security to make him safe,” he said.
The Westmincom has reinforced troops in Sulu with another battalion from Lanao del Sur.
Marcos greets Muslims
Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his greeting yesterday to the Muslim faithful who began observing Ramadan. “To all our Muslim brothers and sisters, my greetings of peace as you observe the holy month of Ramadan,” he said in a statement.
“As you go through the spiritual process of purification through fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice may Allah bless you with enlightenment, forgiveness, mercy and peace, bringing you closer to Him and to all your Filipino brothers and sisters,” he added.