Sunday, June 25, 2017

Duterte's Message for Eid'l Fitr Celebration

June 25, 2017 0

Photo credit to owner

Ramadan this year hasn’t been easy, particularly for hundreds of thousands of Muslims displaced because of an attempted siege in Marawi City.

MANILA, Philippines – Amid an ongoing siege in an Islamic City that has claimed the lives of hundreds and displaced hundreds of thousands, President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, June 25, reminded the Muslim Filipino community that it is through “fostering national unity” that people can best “demonstrate our devotion to God.”

"Let us channel our energies to fostering national unity - because dedicating our lives to the betterment of humanity is the best way to demonstrate our devotion to God," Duterte said in a statement.

"Together, let us work towards building a society that is grounded on love, mutual respect and understanding."

Violence has marred the country's observance of Ramadan after Islamic State-linked militants laid siege to the southern city of Marawi last May 23, prompting Duterte to declare martial law in all of Mindanao.

“On this special day, remember to thank Allah for bestowing upon you the resolve, courage, and fortitude to obey His commandments during the blessed month of Ramadan,” said Duterte in his second End of Ramadan message as the country’s first president from Mindanao.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong said this year’s celebration has been the “saddest in recent memory.”

Hundreds of thousands of Marawi residents were forced to flee their homes and instead live with nearby relatives or at evacuation centers. “For centuries, this Islamic tradition has been observed uninterrupted until now. It pains us to see families who can't even share meals together, pray together and continue observing this Muslim tradition simply because our current state doesn't permit such 'family gathering' to take place, said Adiong.

Amid the crisis, Duterte said Muslims should thank Allah for giving them "resolve, courage and fortitude to obey his commandments" during Ramadan.