President Marcos Urges Filipinos to Embrace Eid’l Adha Message
President Marcos has called on Filipinos to embrace the Eid’l Adha message by setting aside pride and choosing humility and faith amid personal and national challenges. This important four-word keyphrase highlights the core of the Feast of Sacrifice, which encourages surrendering ego and embarking on a deeper spiritual journey.
The President shared his thoughts during the solemn celebration of Eid’l Adha, emphasizing that this sacred Islamic observance offers lessons that transcend religion. “Eid’l Adha invites us to embark on a more difficult journey—not towards a place, but towards a state of heart,” Marcos said. He added that when people let go of their worldly concerns, they create space for the Divine to grow within their hearts and in the country.
Symbol of Obedience and Silent Sacrifice
Marcos praised the devotion of Muslim Filipinos commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice, describing it as a powerful symbol of obedience and deep faith. “This sacred day calls us to remember that devotion reveals itself when we are asked to release what we once believed we could never give,” he noted.
He also reflected on the quiet moments before sacrifice, calling them “achingly familiar.” These moments of silent discernment remind many Filipinos of the tough moral decisions they face. “What stays in us is not the moment of sacrifice, but the silence that came before it,” Marcos added.
Sacrifice as a Path to Restoration
Linking the significance of Eid’l Adha to the Hajj pilgrimage, the President encouraged Filipinos to focus less on the quantity of what is given and more on what is restored. “The measure is not in how much is given, but in what is restored: the dignity where there was dismissal, fairness where there was neglect, and compassion where there was indifference,” he said.
Marcos urged citizens to seek renewal and truth in their service to the nation, leaving behind not only victories but also healing. “In doing so, we affirm that sacrifice, at its best, does not vanish but uplifts, and leaves something stronger,” he expressed.
Faith and Compassion Highlighted by Vice President Duterte
Vice President Sara Duterte also joined the Muslim community in marking Eid’l Adha, emphasizing values that unite Filipinos beyond religion. “Sa okasyong ito, nawa’y magsilbing paalala sa ating lahat ang kahulugan ng sakripisyo, pananampalataya, at kabutihang-loob — mga bagay na mahalaga hindi lang sa ating pananampalataya kundi maging sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay bilang isang sambayanan,” she said.
She noted that Eid’l Adha reminds everyone of courage, generosity, and compassion—virtues especially needed in today’s world.
Eid’l Adha: A Sacred National Holiday
Eid’l Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the holiest Islamic celebrations. It honors Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. In the Philippines, this observance is recognized as a regular national holiday under Republic Act No. 9849.
The celebration coincides with the final rites of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca and includes prayers, communal meals, and acts of charity among Filipino Muslim communities, particularly in Mindanao and Metro Manila.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos coordinates the official announcement of Eid’l Adha’s date based on Islamic lunar calendar calculations and directives from Saudi Arabia’s highest religious authorities.
For nine years now, the Philippines has observed Eid’l Adha as a national holiday. Previously, under Republic Act 9177 enacted in 2002, it was recognized only in the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
For more news and updates on Eid’l Adha, visit Filipinokami.com.