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Filipino Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
VP Duterte extends greetings for Eid al-Adha
Vice President Sara Duterte has extended her warm greetings to the Filipino Muslim community as they observe Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant Islamic holidays marked by prayer, reflection, and the spirit of sacrifice. In a message released Friday, the Vice President highlighted the values of faith, sacrifice, and compassion as central themes of the celebration — values that transcend religion and reflect the shared ideals of the Filipino people. 'Nawa magsilbing paalala sa ating lahat ang kahulugan ng sakripisyo, pananampalataya, at kabutihang-loob,' Duterte said. 'Ang diwa ng Eid al-Adha ay nagsisilbing paalala ng lakas ng loob, pagbibigayan, at malasakit sa kapwa—mga katangiang lubhang mahalaga sa kasalukuyang panahon.' Duterte emphasized unity, mutual respect, and acceptance as pillars of national solidarity and progress. She also acknowledged the continuing contributions of Muslim Filipinos to the country's cultural and spiritual heritage. The Vice President concluded her message with a blessing, saying, 'Tanggapin sana natin ang biyaya ni Allah sa lahat ng panahon. Eid Mubarak!' Her statement ends with a reaffirmation of service to faith, country, and family: 'Ang lahat ng ginagawa natin ay para sa Diyos, sa Bayan, at sa bawat Pamilyang Pilipino.'
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- GMA Network
Pilgrimage of the heart: Filipino reverts' spiritual journey to Mecca before Eid Al Adha
UAE-based Katherine Sumile at the Umbrah, behind her is the Kabbah in Masjid Al Haram (The Grand Mosque) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Katherine Sumile) Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates —As the sacred day of Eid Al Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, draws near, a profound sense of devotion and gratitude sweeps across the United Arab Emirates. For some Filipino Muslim reverts, their spiritual journey of faith has taken them even further, toward the heart of Islam, the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Among them is 28-year-old Katherine Lim Sumile from Misamis Occidental, who embraced Islam just last year. Her newfound faith has ignited a deep yearning to perform Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage. For her, the opportunity to set foot in Mecca, Islam's holiest site, is not just a personal milestone, but a cherished spiritual aspiration. Born into a Christian household, Sumili found herself drawn to Islam's profound emphasis on discipline, purposeful living, and personal accountability. What began as a curiosity gradually unfolded into a deeply personal spiritual journey—one that led her to discover a meaningful connection with Allah through consistent prayer, reflection, and mindful practice. When the opportunity to perform Umrah came in February this year, she embraced it without a moment's hesitation. 'Going for Umrah was completely unplanned and came at very short notice. When my colleague at work asked if I wanted to go with her, I immediately said yes and then asked my boss for leave. Financially, it was a bit challenging, but with my sister's support, I was able to manage,' she told GMA Integrated News. Umrah, often called the lesser pilgrimage, is a sacred journey to Mecca that can be performed at any time of the year. Unlike Hajj—Islam's major pilgrimage and one of the Five Pillars of the faith—Umrah is not obligatory, but it remains a deeply spiritual act of devotion for many Muslims. Sumile, who works as a hotel sales coordinator in Abu Dhabi, recalled how she prepared for the Umrah by engaging the help of a Filipino Muslim teacher for guidance. Known by her Muslim name, Khadija, she said being able to perform Umrah was a powerful experience and prays to do it again whenever circumstances allow her to. 'It was incredibly overwhelming. The moment I stepped into Makkah, I felt like I had finally arrived at something I had been waiting for my entire life. When I saw the Kaaba for the first time, I couldn't hold back my tears, they just kept flowing. I cried throughout the Tawaf. What was even more surprising was that I managed to touch the Kaaba three times. I know not everyone gets that chance, but for me, it felt effortless, like I was being gently drawn closer to it. It felt as though I was meant to stand right there,' Sumile said. Katherine Sumile in Mecca, Saudi Arabia as she performs Umrah in February 2025. (Photo by Katherine Sumile) Blessed Another Filipina Muslim, Noveem Conde Tabamo, who embraced Islam in 2023, told GMA Integrated News in a separate interview that she felt blessed to perform Umrah twice. Her recent Umrah was very special as she did it with her husband, Riaj Khan, during Ramadan in March this year. Tabamo, a 27-year-old teacher currently based in Al Ain City, shared that while the pilgrimage comes with its challenges, the profound sense of fulfillment after completing the journey is truly indescribable. 'Despite the struggles, it was one of the most spiritually fulfilling experiences of my life. Every hardship was worth it for the chance to worship in the holy land during the blessed month. The feeling is beyond words," she said. "Each time I visit, it feels like coming home—a place so familiar, peaceful, and sacred. The sense of devotion, tranquility, and connection is unmatched. I'm deeply grateful that Allah allowed me to visit His house. Every sacrifice, every emotion it's all truly worth it,' she recalled. Tabamo, who hails from Payatas in Quezon City, moved to the United Arab Emirates in February 2020 to work initially as an assistant teacher. Inspired by her lead teacher who is an Emirati, Tabamo said her journey to Islam is deeply personal and meaningful. 'The turning point in my journey began when I was working as an assistant teacher. My lead teacher was an Emirati, and despite the challenges and pressures of the job, I noticed something remarkable about her. No matter how busy the day was, she always made time for prayer. She remained calm, composed, and kind never raising her voice, never showing stress. Her character made a deep impression on me,' Tabamo told GMA Integrated News. Tabamo, who now goes by her Muslim name, Mariam, admits that embracing Islam was far from easy. Her decision was initially met with resistance from her family—particularly from her 79-year- old grandfather, a devoted Catholic minister since the age of 25. However, by the grace of Allah, hearts began to soften. During a visit home in December last year, her family saw the positive changes in her—her calm demeanor, newfound discipline, and inner peace. In witnessing this transformation, they chose to respect her decision and support her journey. 'They saw peace, the discipline and the strength I had found through Islam and that spoke louder than any words,' she stressed. Noveem Conde Tabamo with her husband during their Umrah Pilgrimage in Mecca in Ramadan, March 2025. (Photo by Noveem Tabamo) Transformative journey Meanwhile, Neil Panares, 45, from Naga City, Cebu, in a separate interview also shared his transformative journey to Islam. Just like Tabamo, Panares performed Umrah during the first week of March this year, in time of Ramadan, the holiest month of Islam. 'The moment I saw the Kaaba for the first time, I was overcome with emotion, and tears welled up in my eyes as I prayed to Allah (SWT) for guidance not just for myself but for my mother, my father, my family, and my friends—to be blessed with the light of Islam,' he said. Panares, who is a biomedical engineer in Abu Dhabi, said he prepared his sacred journey by attending preparatory lectures in Dar Zayed, an Islamic school based in the capital. The emotional support and mentorship provided by his colleagues and Muslim friends added to his confidence, helping him to navigate his internal reflections and logistical hurdles that come with being an Overseas Filipino Worker. 'Balancing work responsibilities while ensuring I had the necessary funds and resources was demanding, yet the constant support, especially from our Filipino teacher at Dar Zayed, made all the difference. The most powerful and emotional moments unfolded during Umrah in Ramadan, a time when the rewards of worship are multiplied, making it as valuable as performing Hajj,' Panares said. Panares, who is known by his Muslim name as Ibrahim, said performing the obligatory prayers including the Tarawih, special voluntary prayers performed by Muslims at night during the holy month of Ramadan, in Masjid al-Haram (The Grand Mosque) in Mecca made him realize the ultimate essence of true worship. 'These moments not only deeply moved me but also reaffirmed the unifying spirit of Islam and the essence of true worship. Through this pilgrimage, I have gained a renewed sense of purpose and strengthened my commitment to Islam, reminding me that every bow and prostration in devotion to Allah (SWT) is a step toward ultimate spiritual fulfilment,' he stressed. Panares embraced Islam during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic where it gave him the opportunity to make deep reflections and contemplation at a time of great uncertainty. He took the shahada (Islamic declaration of faith) on June 24, 2020 through the help of an Egyptian colleague who guided him to attend an Islamic school which later became his stepping stone in his journey as a Muslim. Panares admitted that embracing Islam drew mixed reactions from his family and friends. 'My family's reaction to my decision varied. Some were surprised, while others were supportive. My wife, in particular, had an emotional response she cried and struggled to understand her feelings, largely influenced by the negative rumors and misconceptions about Islam' Panares said. As millions of Muslims all over the world prepare for Eid Al Adha, Panares said he readies himself by reciting and reading the Quran more, engaging in extra prayers, and making heartfelt du'as. His fervent prayer to Allah is for forgiveness, blessings and for his family to be guided toward the light of Islam. 'To my fellow Filipino Muslims, let us continue to uphold our faith with sincerity and devotion, embracing the true meaning of Eid Al Adha—a celebration of sacrifice, obedience, and generosity. May we always support one another and strengthen the bonds of our Ummah, fostering unity and understanding wherever we are,' he said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Arab News
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Thousands of Filipino Muslims gather in Manila for Eid festivities
MANILA: Manila's Filipino Muslim community gathered at one of the capital region's largest parks on Monday for Eid Al-Fitr prayers, followed by family picnics to mark the end of Ramadan. In the predominantly Catholic Philippines, Muslims make up around 10 percent of the country's population of over 120 million. While most of them live on the island of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago in the country's south, Manila is also home to more than 173,000 Filipino Muslims. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last month declared April 1 a national holiday for the first of the two main holidays observed in Islam. But like many others across the Islamic world, Filipino Muslims upheld the tradition of morning Eid prayers on Monday, with 15,000 people gathering at the Quezon Memorial Circle. 'Eid Al-Fitr is a huge celebration among the Muslim community, especially here in the Philippines, and the culmination of the sacrifice that we had for the holy month of Ramadan,' Aleem Guiapal, a government official who is originally from Cotabato City, told Arab News. 'What makes Eid Al-Fitr special is the level of spirituality that we achieved for almost 30 days.' Families were central to the occasion, and many took their young children along to share meals and play at the park in Metro Manila. 'We consider Eid Al-Fitr as a family day and, at the same time, a day to celebrate the ending of the month of Ramadan,' Lucman bin Usman said. 'We came here so that the children can play and also to really feel the Eid spirit and also the festivities.' For Aida Villegas, who is originally from Zamboanga, the morning visit to the park was only the beginning of Eid festivities. 'Everyone is (welcome) to come here, and there's a playground. So, it's a really good spot for the families, and then there's a bazaar,' she said, referring to a halal bazaar of food and clothes organized by the local government. 'Families come here during Eid to pray, eat, play, shop and then we go back home, and we do house to house. It doesn't end here.'
Arab News
17-03-2025
- General
- Arab News
Filipino Muslim students host iftars in Manila universities to foster unity, strengthen bonds
Manila: As they seek to strengthen the bonds within the Philippines' minority Muslim community, a group of students are bringing iftar to various universities in Manila during Ramadan to promote meaningful connections among young Muslims and their Catholic peers. In the Catholic-majority Philippines, Muslims make up about 10 percent of its 120 million population, living mostly on the island of Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago in the country's south, as well as in Manila. Throughout Ramadan, which began on March 2 this year, Filipino Muslim students who make up the Students Association for Islamic Affairs, Inc., or SAIA, have been running the 'University Tour Iftar' initiative to unite young Muslims in the Philippine capital and build deeper connections with non-Muslim youths. 'This is where Muslim students around Metro Manila gather and break our fast together, as we get to know each other and strengthen our bonds,' SAIA President Alinaid Angcob II told Arab News. SAIA was established in 2009 by Muslim students and young professionals from universities in Manila with the mission of uniting the youths in their community and inspiring them to excel in their careers. Since it was first launched during Ramadan in 2023, SAIA's iftar events have become gatherings of some 30 to 50 people. This year, the iftars have so far been held at various universities in Manila, including the University of Makati, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the Philippine Normal University. 'We always tend to have a friendly atmosphere and unity among us, even with our differences in cultures,' Angcob said. During the iftar event, before they close the fasting day with hearty meals, Angcob and his team also organize discussions on fasting and the importance of Ramadan. They welcome non-Muslims as a way to raise more awareness about Islam and increase interfaith bonds. 'One of our organization's biggest missions is to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, sisterhood among Muslim students and professionals here in Metro Manila. So, we thought that one of the ways we could achieve that unity and brotherhood is through a salo-salo (shared meal),' Jaffar Malic, SAIA external vice president, told Arab News. Dates are always part of the fast-breaking meals, though the group tries to add regional specialties, like Maranao-style rice noodles, so that non-Muslims can learn about the variety of food, customs and traditions in the Filipino Muslim community. They get support from Muslim-owned businesses in Manila and donations from friends to run the iftar program. 'Many businesses especially here in Metro Manila that are Muslim-owned are very willing to support our cause because they can see that we have this drive to help and unite the Muslim students here in Metro Manila. There are also non-Muslims, like some of them are my friends, who give donations,' Malic said. 'Even though the food is simple, sharing it goes a long way. It creates an opportunity for dialogue and for non-Muslims to experience what it's like to be part of our community.' For him, being a part of SAIA and participating in the iftar program gave him 'a sense of belonging' as a Muslim in the Philippines. 'It's like finding a community that understands you for who you are and what you believe in without compromising,' he said. 'It's a really big deal for all of us, especially since we are here in Metro Manila, which is a place that's dominated by non-Muslims.' The initiative has also received positive feedback from non-Muslims who participate. 'We can really see that they start to develop curiosity and the desire to know more about Islam especially since most of them have Muslim friends, and they want to know the perspectives and understand the experiences of their Muslim friends,' Malic said. 'It's really more than just a meal.' Lenon, a student at the Philippine Normal University who went with two other non-Muslims, was among those who attended the iftar to support his Muslim friend. 'We agreed to come, hoping to learn something about our friend's religion so we can connect with him better,' Lenon said. The discussions were a source of better understanding of Ramadan for the non-Muslim attendees, like Janelle. 'I learned that fasting is not just about food; it's also about discipline and the strength of faith,' she said.
