Malacañan Palace
15 October 2014

President Benigno S. Aquino III enjoined the Muslim-Filipino Community in its celebration of the 2014 Eid’l Adha or Feast of Sacrifice in Malacanang.

“Tonight, we come together once more to celebrate Eid’l Adha by recognizing the strong fellowship that binds all of us as children of the Almighty,” the President stated in his speech. He subsequently told the great narrative of Prophet Ibrahim obeying Allah in sacrificing his son Ismail. He said that this story is the essence of Islam which is more concretely expressed through actions of humility, selflessness and sincere regard to fellowmen.

With this year’s celebration theme, “Peace and Unity A Tool For Nation-Building,” President Aquino mentioned the government efforts in achieving harmony across Mindanao through the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and passing it into the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Eid’l Adha is one of the two greatest festivals of Muslims next to Eid’l Fitr. It is usually a five-day celebration which starts after the annual Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is observed to commemorate the virtues of sharing and caring through ritual sacrifices of livestock like sheep, goat or cow, which is later shared by Muslims in a feast.

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