Muslims hit Palace move taking back declaration on Eid’l Adha

Muslim leaders on Monday condemned Malacañang's decision to declare as regional instead of national holiday the Eid’l Adha (Islamic feast of the holy sacrifice), which falls on November 27 and 28. "Muslim Filipinos are not only confined in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but are present all over the country," Mike Ibrahim, deputy secretary general of National Ulama Conference of the Philippines, told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. Malacañang, through Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, has apologized “to those who have been inconvenienced by the change." The Palace had earlier declared Eid'l Adha as a national holiday. In Proclamation No. 1808 issued last April 12, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared November 27 and 28 this year as national holidays. In a text message to GMANews.TV, Remonde said that Malacañang decided to amend the declaration by issuing Proclamation No. 1808-A on October 26, upon the request of the business community. He said the request was "strongly" endorsed by Trade Secretary Peter Favila. With this, the labor department issued on Friday clarifications on the pay rules on the said dates. [See: November 27, 28 holidays only in ARMM, DOLE clarifies] The ARMM covers the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and the city of Marawi. Ibrahim said the change in the declaration only shows how the government deals with the Muslims in the country. “Para bang (Seems like) it is not the priority of the Philippine government... the welfare and cultural tradition of the Muslims. Para bang (Seems like) the government is giving more respect to the business community rather than the tradition and belief of the Muslims," he said. He lamented: “Kaya nagkakaroon ng problema sa (This is why there's problem in) Mindanao because primarily the government does not understand the cultural practices and sentiments of the Muslims in the Philippines." Moreover, Ibrahim said, the Palace did not consult them when it issued the initial declaration and when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo amended it. “Parang ginagawang laruan ng gobyerno ang feast ng Muslims in the country. Paano na ang mga kapatid nating Muslim sa ibang lugar outside ARMM?" he said. According to him, Eid’l Adha is one of the two “authentic feasts" Muslims celebrate. The other is Eid’l Fitr (feast of the end of Ramadan). He also said that the Palace's move shows government insincerity towards Muslims. “The government is talking peace with the Muslims in the South, pero walang confidence building na pinapakita, walang sinseridad from the government side (the government has not instituted confidence-building measures and has not shown sincerity)," he added. - GMANews.TV