MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ Proclamation No. 734, February 14, 1996 ]
DECLARING THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 21 TO MARCH 21, 1996 AS THE MUSLIM EIDL ‘AL-FITR (HARIRAYA PUASA) FESTIVAL MONTH
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the state to foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression;
WHEREAS, it is a tradition among Muslims of the Philippines and all over the Islamic world to observe Ramadhan, the Muslim fasting season, a month characterized by contemplative prayers and fasting;
WHEREAS, under the Muslim Lunar Calendar (hijra), the Eidl Al-Fitr (Hariraya Puasa), which commemorates the end of fasting, falls on the 21st day of February 1996;
WHEREAS, the Philippines adheres to and joins Muslims all over the world in the commemoration of the successful end of the fasting and in the most festive season in the Islamic calendar, that is, the Muslim Eidl Al-Fitr or Hariraya Puasa;
WHEREAS, it is but appropriate that this proclamation, consistent with PD 291, as amended by PD 322 and Proclamation Nos. 323 and 544, be issued to celebrate the culminating festival among other traditional festivities observed in the Republic of the Philippines; in recognition of the struggle and desire of our Filipino Muslim brothers and sisters for the attainment of lasting peace, sustainable growth, progress, and development and as an indisputable tool towards their reintegration into mainstream Philippines society;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the period from February 21 to March 21, 1996 as the “Eidl Al-Fitr (Hariraya Puasa) Festival Month.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.1aшphi1
Done in the City of Manila, this 14th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-six.
(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
By the President:
(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary
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