RAMADAN STARTS FRIDAY OR SATURDAY DEPENDING ON
MOON SIGHTING
[PHOTO -Indonesian Muslim
student march during a gathering marking Ramadan in Jakarta, Indonesia, on
Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, will officially
start Friday, July 20, 2012 in Philippines if the moon is sighted on Thursday
night by Islamic religious observers. Otherwise, it will start on Saturday.
AP PHOTO/ACHMAD IBRAHIM]
COTABATO CITY, JULY 22, 2012 (INQUIRER) By Edwin
Fernandez Inquirer Mindanao - Filipino Muslims throughout the country
will start the month-long observance of Ramadan on Friday; that is, if the moon
is sighted Thursday night by Islamic religious observers.
Uztads Esmael Ibrahim, chairman of the Ulama Council of the Philippines,
said, however, that if the moon is not sighted on Thursday due to cloud cover or
some such reason, then the holy month of daytime fasting for Muslims will
officially start on Saturday.
"If the moon is seen tonight, fasting starts Friday, if not, then it will be
on Saturday," Ibrahim said.
[PHOTO -Muslims bow in prayer at the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila at
the start of the holy month of Ramadan on Friday. Muslims all over the country
will observe the 30-day period of fasting and prayers until August 18. Photo by Romeo Ranoco, Reuters]
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the so-called "five pillars" of the Islamic
faith. The four others are belief in Allah, the giving of zakat (alms) to the
poor, praying five times a day facing the direction of Mecca in Saudi Arabia
and, for the financially capable, going at least once in a lifetime to Mecca to
perform the hajj, or pilgrimage.
Ustadz Jaafar Ali, head of the local Darul Iftah (House of Opinions), said
fasting was prescribed by Prophet Mohammad to his followers as a means of
inculcating in them the need for self-restraint to achieve harmony with all
people regardless of faith and race.
"Self restraint would lead to spiritual perfection," said Ibrahim, who also
appealed to fellow Muslims to refrain from firing their guns to usher in
Ramadan.
Traditionally, the start of fasting month is welcomed by some Filipino
Muslims with gun fire, ostensibly to drive away bad spirits that could disrupt
the religious activities. But Muslim religious leaders belie such claim, saying
doing good and sharing one's blessings with the less fortunate during Ramadan
and the rest of the year would drive evil away.
"Religious leaders in different parts of ARMM will all together observe the
skies on the night of July 19 to see if the new moon appears. This is in keeping
with the tradition started by our ancient Islamic leaders in the Middle East,"
Ali said.
Ibrahim, also a member of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, said
Ramadan is a "holy month" for Muslims when they fast from dawn to dusk for one
lunar cycle, or about 30 days as a religious obligation.
Muslims still overwhelmed by nation's biggest mosque
By Jeoffrey Maitem Inquirer Mindanao 1:54 am | Saturday, July 21st,
2012 286 53
[PHOTO - MUSLIM CENTER OF WORSHIP, COTABATO CITY: The
mosque
is still under construction (but almost done) and is located along
the
mouth of the Tamontaka River draining towards the Moro Gulf in
Cotabato City. The construction is said to be funded by the government
of Brunei as a gift to the Filipino Muslims in the Philippines]
COTABATO CITY—No matter how often they come here for prayer, Muslims are
still overwhelmed by the largest mosque in the country—a masterpiece of Islamic
architecture.
The glittering Grand Mosque, also known as Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid
(Muslim center of worship), is located in the seaside village of Inawan. It is a
five-hectare cultural complex constructed and funded by the Brunei government in
2008, on land donated by the family of former Maguindanao Rep. Didagen
Dilangalen. It can accommodate 15,000 people.
The mosque, with gold-plated domes, is about eight kilometers away from the
national highway. But the distance has not kept people from going there to pray,
Grand Mosque executive director Ustads Norulam Abdullah told the Inquirer on the
eve of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.
"Those who have no vehicles pay a P15 fare for the motorbike from the main
road," Abdullah said.
Cultural agreement
The construction of the mosque is covered by a cultural agreement between the
Sultanate of Brunei and the Philippine government.
"At the back of the mosque, we are planning to build a grand function hall
that can hold international activities," he said.
Abdullah said the waterfront location is perfect, as the mosque can be viewed
by those arriving by sea from the Moro Gulf in the east and those arriving by
air through Awang Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao.
Abdullah said the mosque was designed by architect Felino Palafox Jr.
It is equipped with closed circuit television and fire protection systems,
with the design incorporating elements of Filipino, Asian and Islamic
traditions.
The mosque was also constructed two meters from the ground. It can be
accessed from three sides, with two front stairs, four side stairs and two
pedestrian ramps.
Environmental concepts
Palafox, in an earlier interview, said he incorporated environmental concepts
into the design, maximizing the sunlight for efficiency, reduction of
electricity bills and low maintenance.
The mosque has four minarets (towers) rising 40 meters high.
Inside, there are two prayer rooms (for men and women) separated by an
eight-meter-high partition. The prayer rooms are flanked by courtyards.
In their Friday prayer, Abdullah said Muslims emphasized the importance of
the duration of the monthlong fasting, which starts today.
"We are praying for a peaceful Mindanao. We are happy that the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front and the government are talking peace," he said.
[THE GOLDEN MOSQUE: Quiapo district in Manila, Largest mosque in
Manila]
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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