CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Ramadan, the most sacred times for Muslims, started yesterday, March 23 and will end on April 20, 2023 covering a period of 30 days.

Muslims across the world will abstain from food, drink, other physical needs and strictly observe self-discipline, spiritual reflection, and acts of charity from dawn until sunset.

Observed during the ninth of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a commemoration of the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad of the first verses of the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book and one of the Muslims’ foundations inscribed in the Qur’an.

The period calls for fasting, prayer, reflection and community to bring the faithful closer to Allah and to remind them of the suffering of the less fortunate.

The Presidential Communications Office clarified that the start of Ramadan on March 23 is not a holiday.

The end of Ramadan on April 20 will be considered a holiday following the dates of these Islamic holidays which are determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar or the lunar calendar and recommended by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos to the Office of the President.