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By Al Jacinto, Correspondent
SULU ISLAND: Muslims on the southern Philippine
island of Sulu on Tuesday celebrated the Eid’l Fitr, which marks
the end of Ramadan, Islam’s holy month of fasting.
More than 3,000 people gathered outside the
Capitol building in Patikul town, one of several areas for prayer
congregations, and listened to a mufti remind them to religiously
follow the teachings of the Holy Koran.
Governor Hajji Sakur Tan of Sulu, clad in his
traditional white skullcap and robe, led devout Muslims throughout
the hour-long prayer.
“The fasting month of Ramadan is very
important to us because it cleanses our hearts and mind as we
reflect on the past. Without God in our heart and mind, we are
nothing, and the Eid’l Fitr is the time for us to thank God for
the blessings we received in life and this is also the time to
share. There is always God and love in our hearts,” he said.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a
strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable
giving and peace making. And at the end of Ramadan, Muslims
throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called
Eid’l Fitr of the Festival of Fast-Breaking.
Eid’l Fitr is a time to give in charity to
those in need, and to celebrate with family and friends the
completion of a month of blessings and joy.
Malacañang extended its greetings to the Muslim
community as it celebrates the Eid’l Fitr. “As we come to the
end of the most venerated and holy month of Ramadan, the Palace
sends its greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters and the
Islamic world on the joyous Eid’l Fitr and enjoins the whole
nation to pray for guidance and peace,” Presidential deputy
spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said.
Celebrations for the Eid’l Fitr give the
Muslims an opportunity to give in charity to those in need, and
celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month-long
fasting and prayers.
Fighting continues
But while Sulu celebrates the Eid’l Fitr,
fighting was raging in Mindanao between government soldiers and Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels.
Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader, said
government troops shelled rebel position in the villages of Pagatian
and Matia in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao, one of six provinces
under the Muslim autonomous region, one of the most restive in the
southern Philippines.
“Troops attacked our positions with
artilleries and they also torched civilian houses in the
villages,” Kabalu said.
But Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a spokesman for the
Army’s Sixth Infantry Division, denied the MILF reports and said
rebels were targeting government soldiers in the province. “As a
matter of fact, the MILF ambushed our troops on Monday in Datu Piang
and this triggered fighting in the area that left a still
undetermined number of rebel casualties,” he said.
Sporadic fighting since last month have left
more than 300 soldiers and rebels dead, according to both the MILF
and the Philippine military.
The MILF blamed Arroyo for the collapse of the
peace talks and warned of a bigger war if Manila continues with its
offensive in Mindanao.
Malaysia, which is brokering the peace talks,
said it would still support the peace process in Mindanao and so is
the influential Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the
United States, including Libya, Brunei and Japan which have deployed
truce observers in Mindanao.
-- With Angelo Samonte
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