FOR this year’s celebration of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims in Cebu prayed to end the coronavirus pandemic and the corruption in the Philippines.

National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Central Visayas Director Onasis Balt said this year’s celebration was also offered that all Muslims could go on with their daily lives and not lose hope amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“May the pandemic end. (We hope) Allah will help all the Muslims in our daily lives, and may the corruption in the Philippines be stopped,” said Balt.

Balt said despite the pandemic, the Muslim communities in Cebu were still able to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long, dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan.

Balt thanked the Muslims in Central Visayas for following the health protocols while celebrating Eid al-Fitr.

“We are thankful that at least, there were no reported incidents related to the celebration,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 joined in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr by donating five goats and food packs to the Muslim community in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

It is a tradition in Islam that the end of Ramadan is celebrated by preparing and sharing meals.

PRO 7 Director Ronnie Montejo said they gave the gifts in return for the Muslims’ contribution to the peace and order in Central Visayas.

Whenever there are religious activities in Cebu City, Muslim leaders are the first to help the police in making sure that no rogue personalities from the south can enter the city.

Cebu City Police Office Director Josefino Ligan said the NCMF leadership in Central Visayas is always in touch with the police.

Mohamad Helmie Daud Abemor, imam of the Mambaling mosque, also thanked the PRO 7 leadership under Montejo, saying it was the second time that Montejo helped them. (JJL, AYB / KAL)