Duterte calls for prayers for peace, solidarity, understanding on start of ‘Ramadan’

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has called on Filipinos to pray for peace, solidarity and understanding, as the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan began on Monday.

In his Ramadan message, Duterte said he was one with “the Muslim Filipino community here in the Philippines and across the globe in celebrating their faith in Allah.”

“Let this also be a solemn opportunity to ask God’s forgiveness for the sins we have committed and to be thankful for all the blessings we have received in the past year,” Duterte said.

“I trust that you will offer sincere prayers for peace, solidarity and understanding among our people and all of humanity,” he added.

The President then promised that his administration “strives to unite all Filipinos, regardless of religion, cultural tradition and political belief.”

“Together, let us create the change that we have been aspiring for—the social and moral transformation that is real and meaningful and the lasting progress that will uplift the lives of our kababayans,” he said.

“I wish you an inspiring and blessed Ramadan,” the President added.

Ramadan is a holy month for the world’s nearly 1.5 billion Muslims, many of whom practice the ritual of dawn-to-dusk fasting and prayers.

During this season, Muslims are also required to increase their offering of prayers and recitation of the Quran.

Muslims are also prohibited from doing sexual activities and breaking any laws.

The Ramadan will start on May 6, according to National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan.

“All Moon-sighting Committees nationwide, including the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, have all reported of not sighting the New Moon (Hilal). As such, and as declared by the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, it is hereby officially declared that the 1440 AH Ramadan will start on Monday, May 6, 2019,” Pangarungan said in a statement on Sunday.