ILOILO City – The Muslim community marks the Eid’l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) today, albeit without any activities. Today is also a regular holiday in the Philippines.
According to Saadoden Mayo, imam at the Iloilo Pioneer Masjid (mosque) in Barangay Magdalo, La Paz district, they would adhere to the prohibition on mass gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic and the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the metro.
“Marami kaming activities kung hindi pandemic kasi ‘yan ang pinakamarangal na araw sa amin na mga Muslim. Kaya lang pandemya subong so wala kaming activities,” Mayo told Panay News.
Eid’l Adha is one of two official Islam holidays – the other being Eid’l Fitr. It honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah’s command.
Due to the pandemic, Mayo encouraged the more or less 3,000 Muslims in this southern city to offer prayers in their respective homes.
Those with the means could prepare a little salo-salo but this must be limited to household members only, Mayo said.
He encouraged Muslims to forego their jobs for the day to make prayer offerings, specifically for the end of the current health crisis.
Meriam Seif, a resident of Barangay Magdalo, La Paz, said she would celebrate the Eid’l Adha by offering prayers with her family.
“Kami dito sa Iloilo lahat kami nagtitipon every year sa plaza ng La Paz kaya lang because of pandemic, we cannot gather. We have to follow the protocols,” Seif told Panay News.
The Muslim community also had no gatherings during the Eid’l Fitr on May 13./PN
