House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Saturday joined Filipino Muslims in celebrating Eid’l Fitr, saying respect for each other despite diverse religious beliefs is a potent force towards nation-building.
“We extend our warmest greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters as we join them in celebrating Eid’l Fitr marking the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic faith,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“May you and your families be blessed with good health, happiness, and prosperity. May peace reign over your hearts and your households, and may the blessings of life be upon you and your loved ones.”
He pointed out that recognition and respect for the diversity in our religious beliefs are deeply enshrined in our Constitution.
Thus, he said, no matter what faith or religion, the Filipino people continue to march towards progress “as a nation, as Filipinos united under one flag.”
“We view this diversity not as an obstacle to development, but rather as a potent moving force for all of us to contribute to nation-building in our own way, according to our respective religious beliefs,” Romualdez said.
House Deputy Minority Leader, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, meanwhile, called on his fellow Muslims to remember and continue to practice the lessons gained from Ramadan to become better individuals and citizens.
“As we celebrate Eid’l Fitr today, it is my desire that the attributes we aim to emulate – love, patience, humility, kindness, generosity, and peace – will stay with us even after today. We should continue letting go of all the anger and hate, and embrace peace and justice as a way of life for all of us,” Hataman said in his message.
He said Eid’l Fitr is the culmination of a month of self-restraint and sacrifice, where Muslims allow themselves to have more patience and humility to epitomize the virtue of charity and generosity toward others.
“Sa panahon ding ito hangad natin ang pagpapalaganap ng kapayapaan at katarungan sa ating mga tahanan at komunidad, sa gitna ng napakaraming insidente ng karahasan na ating nasaksihan nitong mga nakaraang araw (It is also during this time that we desire to spread peace and justice in our homes and communities amid the incidence of violence that we have witnessed in the past days),” he said. (PNA)
