Marcos calls for selflessness, solidarity with Muslim community on Eid’l Adha

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reflected on the importance of sacrifice and selflessness as he called on Filipinos to practice solidarity with the Muslim community as it observes Eid’l Adha on Wednesday.

“I extend my warmest greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters as they celebrate Eid' Adha,” he said in his message for the occasion posted on Facebook by the Office of the President.

“Let us all be reminded of the importance of sacrifice and selflessness that mirror the essence of this occasion so that we can join hands with our Muslim brothers and sisters from all over the world in the spirit of peace, unity, and mutual respect,” he added.

Marcos said the warmth and kindness of Muslim Filipinos serves as a bedrock of the country’s success as they push for a better future.

He also acknowledged the contribution of Muslim Filipinos to the religious identity and diversity of the country.

“For it is only when we openly and willingly embrace each other's differences that we will be able to build a more prosperous and harmonious society for all,” he said.

On June 14, Marcos declared June 28, 2023, a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice.

Eid'l Adha is one of the two important holidays in the Muslim calendar, the other being Eid'l Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

During Eid'l Adha, Muslims slaughter sheep, goats, cows, and camels to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah's command.

“We join the entire Muslim Filipino community in the country and abroad as they observe the Feast of the Sacrifice to mark the culmination of the Hajj — the fifth pillar of Islam,” Marcos said.

“Let us also join them in solidarity as they honor Ibrahim who — when commanded by Allah to sacrifice his own son — demonstrated utmost willingness and obedience, only to be halted at the last moment when his abiding faith was proven,” he added. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News