ILOILO City – Almost a thousand Muslims here gathered at the public plaza of La Paz district to celebrate yesterday’s Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan which was the Islamic holy month of fasting.
“We practice our faith here 100 percent without fear. The Ilonggos respect us,” said Sultan Sammy Hadji Manan, spokesperson of the Iloilo Muslim Community Association, Inc.
There were around 3,000 Muslims living here and in Iloilo province. Hadji Manan said “90 to 95 percent” of them were traders.
The most visible of these traders were those selling cellphones, accessories and ready-to-wear garments.
“Ilonggos are peace-loving people. We do not feel discriminated,” said Hadji Manan.
Muslim children also go to schools in Iloilo.
Iloilo became the preferred destination of refuge of several Muslims during the siege of Marawi City in 2017 – a five-month-long armed conflict that started on May 23, 2017 between government security forces and Islamic militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq.
They recognized Iloilo as a welcoming place where they could live peacefully, according to Hadji Manan.
There were three mosques in Iloilo: the Masjid Molo in Molo district, the Iloilo Pioneer Masjid in La Paz district, and the Masjid Al-Khabeer in Pavia town.
“We exercise our right to religion and conduct our worship services freely,” said Hadji Manan.
Yesterday they congratulated one another and shared food especially prepared for Eid al-Fitr.
“We are grateful to have survived 29 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan,” said Hadji Manan.
There were celebrations, too, in mosques and open spaces in the towns of Pavia and Dueñas.
The annual Eid al-Fitr is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
Aside from praying and feasting on food (it is forbidden to fast on the day of the Eid), Muslims also give alms to the poor to mark Eid al-Fitr.
Hadji Manan said Muslims here felt secure, accepted and loved./PN
