ILOILO City – Over 2,000 members of the local Muslim community are set to commemorate Eid al-Adha, Islam’s “Feast of Sacrifice,” with a large prayer gathering at La Paz district plaza here on Friday, June 6, as part of a nationwide celebration of one of the two most important Islamic holidays.
The main event will begin at 6 a.m., featuring solemn congregational prayers and religious services led by community leaders, including Sultan Ibrahim Bansara Al-Haj, president of the Iloilo United Muslim Community.
The celebration will continue into the afternoon, with smaller gatherings and feasts expected in homes and other venues.
“This is a time to reflect on sacrifice, faith, and compassion,” said Al-Haj. “We begin at the La Paz covered gym and afterward, families will gather in their own way — whether at home or with friends — to celebrate, eat, and bond.”
Four mosques across Iloilo — in Molo district, Magdalo (La Paz), San Isidro (Jaro district), and Pavia town — will also host special prayers and local celebrations in observance of the holiday.
Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God, a central narrative in Islamic faith.
The celebration coincides with the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and is observed by Muslims worldwide through prayer, community feasts, and acts of charity.
In the Philippines, Eid al-Adha has been officially recognized as a national public holiday under Republic Act No. 9849 since 2002. It falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, and typically lasts for three days.
Al-Haj encouraged non-Muslim Filipinos to take this opportunity to deepen their understanding of Islamic traditions, emphasizing that interfaith respect is crucial in fostering unity and peace in a diverse society./PN
