CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/30 August) – Muslims from all walks of life gathered in this city’s main mosque today for Eid’l Fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan, where most of the faithful renewed their solidarity and hoped for genuine peace throughout the island.
At least a thousand attended the Sunnah muak’kad – an obligatory Islamic prayer which celebrates Eid’l Fitr – the conclusion of the 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting, according to Mohamad Sidic Gondarangin, chair of the Cagayan de Oro Jemaah Islam Association.
In Arabic, Eid means “celebration” while Fitr means to “to break the fast.” Gondarangin said that when a faithful does a good deed on this day, it will return good fortune seventy-fold more.
“We had to use the road because many faithful attended the prayers,” Gondarangin said. The main mosque in this city is located at 8th Street, Nazareth Subdivision.
He said all the Muslims are obligated to attend the prayers. Even Muslim women who were having their menstrual cycle were obligated to hear the imam’s sermon albeit outside the mosque.
“This is to unify all Muslims all over the world and to renew solidarity,” said Gondarangin.
“(We are) wishing our brothers the spirit of Ramadan and the teaching of Ramadan be applied for the sake of peace and unity,” he said.
In a text message, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Mohager Iqbal hoped that genuine peace will reign in every one’s heart.
“May peace, real peace dwell in everyone’s heart and strive to attain it,” he said.
The Bukidnon Bishop Jose Cabantan also prayed for peace in Mindanao.
“Wassallam alaikum! May God’s/Allah’s peace reign in our hearts manifested in the total well-being of all, especially here in Mindanao. A blessed Eid’l Fitr to all,” Cabantan. (Cong B. Corrales / MindaNews)