Muslims in Metro Manila celebrate Eid’l Fitr in Camp Bagong Diwa
MANILA - Around 1,000 Muslims from all over Metro Manila gathered at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City to celebrate Eid'l Fitr.
This was the first time the event was held at the police camp, which is dominated by Christians.
After an hour of prayer and listening to the imam's sermon, the devotees feasted on meals some of them had prepared for everyone -- a festive break from a month of consuming neither food nor water. Celebrations continued throughout the day in their own homes.
Superintendent Datumama Mokalid, chief of NCRPO's Human Rights Affairs Office, said he personally lobbied for the event to be held at Camp Bagong Diwa because it is a large enough and conducive venue for worship. He said he was happy the event was allowed to be held at the camp, as it shows the police's growing support for the Muslim community.
Eid'l Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of prayer and fasting. The festival is held once the new moon has been sighted. By Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News
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Greetings to our Fellow Muslim Brethren!
The felicity and affection showed by the police officers and men in Camp Bagong Diwa, is not but a small symbolism but it meant much to the warming of relationship between the two religious divide - but of one blood.
Our Muslim brethren left their Mindanao homeland to escape the evils of war and lead to a peaceful life in Luzon. It is but the obligation of the majority to support them in times of need, as they are also our blood brothers and sisters -only separated by different faith!
With the impending rounds of peace negotiations, we pray that this will be the one that will finally make Mindanao truly the land of promise esp. for the original inhabitants of that beautiful island, with very rich culture and history.
Let's embrace one another - for we are all children of God!