IN CELEBRATION of Eid'l Adha, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, August 21, expressed hope that "greater unity and harmony" would prevail despite differences in religious beliefs.
In his Eid'l Adha's message, Duterte emphasized the need for the Muslims and other religious groups to keep "mutual respect and peace" as they build diverse communities.
"Today, we do not only commemorate the admirable act of being obedient to one's God, but also celebrate the significance of faith in our pursuit of meaningful transformation," the President said.
"May this celebration bind us together in our common hope of building diverse communities that is rooted in mutual respect and peace," he added.
In observance of Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice, Duterte has declared August 21, Tuesday as regular holiday.
Eid’l Adha commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to the will of Allah, Muslim’s name for God.
Duterte said the sacred feast serves as "a reminder of the fulfillment that is found in sacrifice."
"Ibrahim's faithfulness taught us the way towards a strong spiritual foundation that is guided by our shared values of compassion, selflessness and hope," he said.
"As Muslims all over the world honor this remarkable sacrifice, I hope that you will be more inspired to embody courage and conviction in all of the challenges we face as a nation," he added.
The Chief Executive was optimistic that everyone would go beyond "social, political and cultural barriers" to achieve the goal of promoting peace and order in the country.
"I trust that in the midst of our religious traditions, we will find the strength and inspiration to live a life that transcends social, political and cultural barriers," he said. "Together, let us foster greater unity and harmony across people of various faiths."
Here is the complete message of the President: