October 1 Declared Holiday in the Philippines





President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared October 1 (Wednesday) as a regular holiday in observance with the Islamic community that would be celebrating the Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadhan.

The President signed Proclamation No. 1625 last September 19 declaring October 1, 2008, as a regular holiday in the country.

Under the Proclamation, In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, as a regular holiday throughout the country.

The Islamic community celebrates Eid’l Fitr, three days after the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which started this year on September 1. It is a three-day festival known as “Eid” or “Eid ul-Fitr,” which means “the feast of the breaking or to break the fast,” ends the observance of the holy month of Ramadhan.

The Eid’l Fitr is the culmination of the month long Muslim struggle towards spiritual purification which is achieved through fasting, self-sacrifice and prayers.