Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center, Davao City
June 6, 2019
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the celebration of the 2019 Eid’l Fitr held at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Davao City.
In his speech, President Duterte called for the Muslim community to take the occasion as an inspiration to be firm and committed to their convictions, and to deepen their relationships with their fellowmen, especially the oppressed and marginalized.
“May this be an opportunity for the practice of generosity, tolerance, and love for our fellowmen, regardless of their religious belief, political affiliation, socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity or physical condition,” he said.
“I urge the entire nation to contemplate upon the true meaning of Ramadan. May this time of joy remind us of our shared pursuit to establish lasting peace and stability across the country, especially in Mindanao,” the President continued as he assured all the guests present that the government shall endeavor to preserve peace in Mindanao.
He stressed that through the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), the rights and welfare of all Muslim Filipinos shall be consistently upheld, adding that any form of violence against the community, or any other tribes particularly those arising from religious extremism, shall never be tolerated and shall be dealt with the full force of the law.
“With the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao—a campaign promise that we delivered—we can work more closely and efficiently with our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters in our pursuit to foster a more harmonious and meaningful relationship among all ethnic groups in the region,” the President emphasized.
Eid’l Fitr is the festival of ‘breaking the fast’, which marks the official end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. Muslims all over the world observe the religious feast by taking part in traditions, such as holding prayer services that involve the reciting of a certain set of prayers and donating funds and goods to different charities.
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