Muslims in Mindanao mark Eid'l Fitr or end of Ramadan on different days

COTABATO CITY - Muslims in Mindanao are celebrating Edi'l Fitr or end of Ramadan on different days.

In Marawi City on Tuesday, people gathered early at the grounds of the Provincial Capitol compound to celebrate Sallatul Eid, according to a Facebook post of the Lanao del Sur provincial government.

Their basis for the celebration on Tuesday, June 4, is the sighting of the crescent moon in Saudi Arabia which signals the end of the month-long fasting or Ramadan.

In Maguindanao and Cotabato City, however, the official declaration of Eid’l Fitr is on Wednesday, June 5, as pronounced by the Darul Iftah of the Philippines.

Grand Mufti Abu Huraira Udasan was with Muslim clerics on Monday night monitoring the moon sighting. However, the crescent moon was not visible in Asia.

The Darul Ifta of the Philippines officially declared automatically the end of Ramadan on Wednesday, June 5.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, the government agency tasked with providing accurate information in relation to the affairs of Muslim Filipinos and which recognizes the Moonsighting Committees nationwide, including the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, issued a statement following the Darul Ifta of the Philippines.

“We have all reported NO SIGHTING the New Moon (Hilal) for the 1st day of Shawwal 1440 AH," said NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan in a statement.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier declared June 5 a non-working holiday nationwide in observance of Eid’l Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan.

Mobile Takbir

Meanwhile, in Cotabato City, the city government issued a memorandum banning the practice of Mobile Takbir.

Mobile Takbir is usually observed after the declaration of the end of Ramadan where Muslims, mostly youths, hold a noise barrage parade.

During the Mobile Takbir, people rev their motorcycles and vehicles and beep their horns as they go around the city.

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi in a Peace and Order Council meeting on Monday issued the ban on Mobile Takbir saying it is not in accordance with the teaching of Islam.

In the past, Mobile Takbir has resulted in motorcycle accidents, she said.

“Wala akong sasantuhin. I am duty bound to enforce the law. I am urging barangay officials to impose the ban together and help our security forces,” Sayadi said. —KG, GMA News