President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday joined the Muslim faithful in the country and around the world in the solemn observance of Eid’l Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice, calling on Filipinos to prepare to go beyond their comfort zones.
In his message, the President said the day is a reminder that “with deep faith and loyalty to our virtues, we can take risks for hefty costs, even if it means losing those whom we love and letting go of many things that matter to us.”
Eid’l Adha, one of the two holiest days in Islam, commemorates how Ibrahim offered his son in obedience to Allah.
The President urged Filipinos to believe that “in entrusting ourselves and surrendering our worries to Supreme Authority, all our hearts’ desires for the greater good will be heard and granted.”
“The solemn narrative that punctuates this occasion tells us that, at the onset of this administration, we must prepare ourselves to go beyond our comfort zones as we walk the path we have willingly chosen,” Marcos said.
Another prominent Muslim, Senator Robin Padilla, asked all Filipinos to “give peace a chance” as the nation marked Eid’l Adha.
The Festival of Sacrifice, which is the second of two great Muslim festivals—the other is Eid’l-Fitr—marks the culmination of the hajj (pilgrimage) rites at Minā, Saudi Arabia, near Mecca, but is celebrated by Muslims throughout the world.
Padilla, whose Muslim name is Abdul Aziz, said peace should be not just among Muslims but also among those of other faiths, including Christians and Lumads.
“My brethren, there is no place for violence. Now is the time for peace. This is the chance for peace for all Filipinos,” he said in a message for Eid’l Adha at the Quezon City Police District headquarters in Camp Karingal.
In Muslim Mindanao, hundreds of worshippers flocked to the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City on Saturday morning to attend the congregational prayer for this year’s Eid’l Adha.
The gathering was led by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, whose message centered on the importance of sacrificing personal interests for the greater good.
“Let me emphasize to all of you the spirit of sacrifice. We should sacrifice a lot inside and out of the office, as we all serve our countrymen,” he said.
Marcos likewise highlighted the value of fighting for what is right.
“The journey ahead of us will not be easy, but if we fight for what is right and predicate our every action on our love for our fellowmen, our people will surely benefit from the results of our individual choices,” he said.
“Let us, therefore, offer ourselves for the sake of others and take to heart the lessons we learn today so that we may be rewarded spiritually and become worthy recipients of Allah’s manifold blessing and protection,” he added.
The President concluded his message by expressing hope that we “will transcend our differences, break the chains of divisiveness, and emerge strong and united as one nation.”
“Let’s make it known—to Christians and Lumads—that Islam will offer the solution to our problems,” he added.
Padilla said it is the responsibility of all Filipinos to work for peace—and to value life, pointing out that the prophet Ibrahim has taught that there is no extremism in Islam.
“We should not allow killings, whether of our family members or those who we do not know. Islam is love for one another, for peace,” the former movie star said.
“My fellow Filipinos, now is the time to show the entire Philippines, the whole of Asia, that Muslims will bring hope to our motherland!” he added.