Filipino Muslims celebrate Eid'l Adha

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Muslims all over the country celebrated Eid'l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) Friday.

The Eid'l Adha is a major celebration for Muslims worldwide to commemorate prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his young firstborn son Ishmael. It also marks the end of the Hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca.

In Manila, thousands of Muslims trooped to the open field at the Quirino Grandstand to pray. Manila's Quiapo district is home to one of the capital's largest Muslim communities.

Some 1,500 Muslims also gathered at the Quezon City Memorial Circle to pray.

Over a thousand Muslims also held prayers in Marikina. Some of the gathering sites were the Marikina Sports Complex and a mosque in Barangay Tumana.

The Muslims started their prayer at around 7 a.m. In Marikina, Imam Amir Makaurug led the Muslim community.

The community also feasted on goats as a practice of the Qurban, or the sacrifice of a livestock animal during the Eid'l Adha.

In Taguig's Maharlika Village, some 3,000 Muslims gathered the Blue Mosque.

President Benigno Aquino III, though still in Australia, greeted the Muslim community in the Philippines for today's important occasion.

"The Eid'l Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice retells and commemorates the beautiful story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his beloved son to demonstrate his trust and devotion to Allah. His readiness to carry out God’s command despite the specter of personal loss and his fortitude against temptation make him an exemplar of obedience for us all. May his example inspire us to be righteous and courageous in our undertakings, that we may follow God's will for the betterment of ourselves and our world," Aquino said.

"I join our Muslim brothers and sisters in observing this important celebration. Let this be an affirmation of our solidarity in pursuing the causes of peace and development for the greater good. May your reflections lead you to an even deeper engagement in our efforts towards creating a united and equitably progressive Philippines," he added. - with reports from dzMM

source: abs-cbnnews.com