October 1 is a Holiday: Hari Raya Puasa (Eid’l Fitr)

Today is a holiday here in the Philippines as declared by no less than President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, via Proclamation No. 1625.

Below is the official proclamation of the Philippine Government:

MALACAÑANG PALACE
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
PROCLAMATION NO. 1625 DECLARING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008 AS A REGULAR HOLIDAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN OBSERVANCE OF EID’L FITR (FEAST OF RAMADHAN)

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9177 declared Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan) as a regular holiday throughout the country;
WHEREAS, Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim World for three (3) days after the end of the month of fasting;
WHEREAS, the main date for the celebration of Eid’l Fitr for the year 2008 has been determined by the Office on Muslim Affairs to fall on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar;
WHEREAS, to promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino Nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr;
WHEREAS, In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Wednesday, October 1, 2008 as a regular holiday throughout the country;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare Wednesday, October 1, 2008 as a regular holiday throughout the country.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.

(Sgd.) H.E. GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
By the President:
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary