President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday joined the Muslim community in celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, as he expressed hope that it would bring them spiritual renewal.
“This season of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving is an opportune time to embody the values of discipline, reverence and humility,” said the president.
“The spiritual belief that the gate of Heaven is open this sacred month calls upon our brothers and sisters to purify their souls against the perils of worldly pleasures, as well as seek for forgiveness and peace,” Marcos added in his message released by the Presidential Communications Office.
Marcos urged Muslims to include in their prayers those who are “in deep distress caused by hunger, natural calamities and unfavorable circumstances.”
“The rituals and services during Ramadan remind us of our shared moral obligation – regardless of faith – to compassionately take care of each other, uphold our human dignity and stand in solidarity,” he said.
He also called on Filipinos to promote peace and unity in diversity.
“As a nation enriched with cultural diversity, let us allow our hearts to embrace the profound truth that respect conquers division, understanding obliterates prejudice, and love prevails over all,” Marcos said.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer reflection and community.
It is a commemoration of the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad of the first verses of the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book. It is one of the Muslims’ foundations inscribed in the Qur’an.
Muslims practice fasting during the day for this period to bring the faithful closer to Allah and to remind them of the suffering of the less fortunate.
