Marcos declares April 1 as holiday for Eid'l Fitr
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared April 1 a regular holiday in observance of Eid'l Fitr, the Feast of Ramadan.
Marcos signed Proclamation 839 following the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos' (NCMF) recommendation to declare the date a national holiday. The declaration aims 'to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid'l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness.'
Eid'l Fitr, one of the two most important Islamic celebrations, is observed by the Muslim community three days after the month-long Ramadan fasting. The other important celebration, Eid al-Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice, is celebrated on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic calendar and commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son to God. Related Articles
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
9 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
US is not committed to a Palestinian state, Muslim neighbours could give land, US ambassador says
A Palestinian state in the occupied West Bank is no longer a US policy goal, but Israel's 'Muslim neighbours' could give up their land to create one, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Bloomberg news on Tuesday. 'Unless there are some significant things that happen that change the culture, there's no room for it,' Huckabee, an appointee of US President Donald Trump and longtime advocate of settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank said when asked about a Palestinian state. He added those steps probably won't occur 'in our lifetime,' he added. Pressed on the topic, Huckabee repeated an explosive claim floated by some Israeli officials, that neighbouring Muslim countries could give their land to the Palestinians to create a state. 'Where is it gonna be? Does it have to be in Judea and Samaria?' Huckabee asked. 'Does it need to be somewhere different? New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Huckabee did not rule out taking land from Saudi Arabia to create a Palestinian state, saying 'every option should be on the table,' when pressed. 'Muslim controlled countries have six hundred and forty-four times the amount of land Israel does. When people say Israel needs to give up something you kind of scratch your head and say let me see if I get this right…'why should these people [Israelis] give way when these people [muslim countries] have a lot of room that they could say 'we'll carve out something'.' Huckabee's comments are likely to irk Egypt and Jordan. Their leaders fear that Israel wants to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank onto their land. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in May that carrying out a plan US President Donald Trump introduced earlier this year to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza and turn it into a 'Middle East Riviera' was now a condition for ending Israel's war on Gaza. Displacing Palestinians Huckabee's refusal to rule out carving out a Palestinians state in Saudi Arabia is likely to inflame tensions. Netanyahu suggested in February that Palestinians should establish a state in Saudi Arabia, rather than in their homeland, in his latest dismissal of Palestinians' right to self-determination. His comments drew a sharp rebuke from Riyadh. In his first term, Trump floated a Middle East peace plan dubbed the Deal of the century that called for a de facto rump Palestinian state without full sovereignty. But at the very least, that plan focused on fashioning a pseudo-state in the occupied West Bank. Huckabee's comments are more hardline because he refuses to rule out displacing Palestinians in full. Since the 1950's, successive American administration have stated that their ultimate goal to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a two-state solution. Many experts and diplomats have earmarked occupied East Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, which Israel seized from Egypt and Jordan in the 1967 war as the heartland of a future Palestinian state. Huckabee is a prominent leader in the pro-Israel evangelical Christian movement, who has repeatedly denied the Palestinian national identity. Huckabee advocated for the forcible displacement of Palestinians during the early days of Israel's war on Gaza. 'If the so-called Palestinians are so loved by the Muslim nations of the world, why wont any of those nations at least offer to give temporary refuge to their brothers and sisters in Gaza,' he said in October 2023. He has been an outspoken advocate for Israel's annexation of the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. 'I think Israel has title deed to Judea and Samaria,' he told Politico in 2017, using the Hebrew language terms for the occupied West Bank. 'There are certain words I refuse to use. There is no such thing as a West Bank. It's Judea and Samaria. There's no such thing as a settlement. They're communities, they're neighborhoods, they're cities. There's no such thing as an occupation,' he said at the time.
Sharjah 24
14 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
SEC reviews 2024 Endowment Trusts Account Report
His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC), chaired the Council meeting, on Tuesday. The meeting was held at the Sharjah Ruler's Office, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC). Discussion of Governmental Performance and Public Service Delivery The Council discussed several topics related to monitoring the performance of government departments and implementing the plans and public policies of the Emirate of Sharjah, aiming to provide the best services to communities across various sectors. Review of Sharjah Museums' Services The Council reviewed a report on the services provided by Sharjah museums to visitors across the cities and regions of the Emirate. The report detailed how the museums operate in conveying and documenting historical, cultural, heritage, artistic, and Islamic information, in addition to offering an educational and entertaining experience targeting all age groups from children to adults. Annual Report on Endowment Trust Account for 2024 The Council examined the annual report for the Endowment Trust Account for the year 2024, highlighting the most notable achievements and initiatives carried out. The report showed growth in assets, revenues, and donations to various endowment projects, alongside the completion of a number of endowment projects that reinforced the position of endowment as a sustainable developmental tool. Key Figures and Statistics from the Report The Council was introduced to key figures and statistics from the report, including the income statement for the endowment trust account, the income statement for wills and endowment deeds, endowment projects implemented during 2024, endowment assets, the entities benefiting from endowment implementation inside and outside the country, and endowment investment.
Gulf Today
14 hours ago
- Gulf Today
UAE, Syrian Presidents exchange Eid greetings
The UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday received a phone call from Ahmad Al Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, during which they exchanged Eid Al Adha greetings. Both leaders conveyed their warm wishes for health and happiness to all, praying that the occasion would bring blessings, peace and prosperity to their peoples and to both countries. They also expressed their hopes for continued development and growth, and for lasting security, stability and wellbeing across the Muslim world and wider international community. The call also touched on the close relations between the UAE and Syria and ways to strengthen cooperation in a manner that serves the interests and aspirations of both nations. Recently, His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, directed the International Charity Organisation (ICO) to intensify its relief and humanitarian efforts in Syria, in light of the difficult conditions affecting many areas there. During a gathering at the Royal Court, he was briefed on the Organisation's efforts across various humanitarian fields, as well as its programmes aimed at supporting those living under harsh conditions in certain regions in Syria, and assisting refugees and displaced persons in several other countries. This came during a meeting between the Ruler of Ajman and Dr Khalid Abdulwahab Al Khaja, Secretary-General of the ICO, along with the accompanying delegation. He expressed the UAE's full solidarity with the Syrian people, affirming the nation's unwavering support during these challenging times and its readiness to provide all possible forms of assistance to help alleviate their suffering. He stated that such supportive and compassionate stances towards brothers, sisters, and friends in times of crisis are not new to the leadership and people of the UAE. Rather, they are a continuation of the humanitarian legacy established by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was always among the first to extend a helping hand to countries affected by disasters and wars around the world. WAM
