Saturday, November 05, 2005
Ramadan also a gesture of peace, leader says
The country took a break from daily routine yesterday to celebrate the end of Ramadan. But is the celebration really understood by people other than Muslims?
Sakiran Hajan, director of the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) 7, said the end of the 30-day fast is not just an act of cleansing for Muslims but also a gesture of peace towards their brother and sister Christians.
Malacañang’s declaration of the day as holiday was meant to give Muslims the chance to celebrate at the end of Ramadan.
Hajan said that during the 30-day fast, Muslims learn and relearn the fundamentals of their faith, foremost of which is that they should “refrain from evil.”
But Ramadan doesn’t mean that Muslims should avoid doing bad deeds, like hurting others, only during these days of fasting.
Muslims should strive to make peace with people of any faith all year round, Hajan said.
During Ramadan, Islamic believers observe a strict fast between the hours of daylight for 30 consecutive days and engage in pious activities such as charitable works and peace-making.
Both the start and the finish of the fasting month coincide with the sighting of the new moon.
The Eid al-Fitr or the Festival of Fast-Breaking is celebrated for three to four days in some parts of the world.
“Ramadan is the cleansing month where everything should be learned for the next 11 months. They are taught to contribute in attaining peace and order,” Hajan said.
In Ramadan, he said, the Muslims extend a hand of peace, which was accepted and received by the government, particularly Cebu City Hall.
In an urban hub like Cebu City, Muslims have made a significant niche, both economically and socially. Mayor Tomas Osmeña relies on their help in keeping the city safe.
Grateful for Cebu City’s hospitality, the Muslims declared the mayor an honorary sultan.
Hajan said the 100,000 Muslims in Metro Cebu, particularly the 15,000 in Cebu City, are appreciative of the way the Cebuanos treat them.
Recently, City Hall donated to OMA a two-hectare lot in Barangay Guba for their cemetery.
Under their customs, Muslims bury their loved ones within 24 hours from dead. Before, they spent large sum of money to transport their victim to Mindanao for burial since they had no cemetery here.
“I thank the people of Cebu because, with their support, we were able to forge a relationship between the local government and the police. And we are glad we were made their friends,” he said. (RHM)
(November 5, 2005 issue)
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