Over 2,000 Cebuano Muslims gathered on Wednesday for public prayers at the Plaza Independencia to celebrate Eid‘l Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan or the holy month of fasting.

Ijoden Hadji-Azis Mamacol, executive director of the Cebu City Office of the Muslim Affairs and Indigenous Cultural Community, said the public prayers headed by their Imam, Sheik Muhammad Khalil began at 7 a.m. and ended after 40 minutes of prayers and sermon.

Ustad Khalil, a young Imam, has gained attention among the younger generation for his unique perspective and engaging style of delivering sermons.

Proficient in Arabic, English, and Tagalog, Khalil effortlessly connects with audiences of diverse backgrounds.

Mamacol said the historical landmark of this capital city was packed with Muslims who opted to celebrate Eid’l Fitr outside of the 13 masjids here.

“We are praying for world peace, particularly those nations who are at war. We are praying that they will end their conflict,” Mamacol told the Philippine News Agency, referring to the war in Gaza that has already killed thousands.

After the early morning prayer, the attendees shared a communal meal to celebrate Eid’l Fitr.

Ramadan, a span of 30 days of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community engagement, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn to dusk.

Some Muslim communities rely on sighting of the crescent moon, a centuries-old method, to signal the end of Ramadan.

Mamacol hosted the moonsighting along with his fellow Muslims, and shared on social media their joys in breaking “iftar,” the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan at the time of “adhan” (call to prayer) of the Maghrib prayer.

Cebu-based Islamic law scholar Ustad Najeeb Razul also delivered an Eid’l Fitr sermon via social media Wednesday. (PNA)