The spirit of sharing soars once again in Isabela City as the local government held its Eid Sorpresa event for Muslim families in celebration of Eid al-Fitr. This year marked the sixth anniversary of a heartfelt initiative that has become a beacon of hope and joy since its start in 2020.
Eid Sorpresa transcends mere festive gifts, it encapsulates the essence of unity, love and sharing that defines the celebration of Hari raya (Muslim’s celebration day). This annual endeavor underscores the local government’s commitment to fostering compassion and solidarity among diverse communities, creating a meaningful connection during this sacred time for the Muslim communities.
This year, families from various barangays including Doña Ramona, Aguada San Rafael, Tabuk, Sumagdang, Menzi, Cabunbata, Balatanay, Makiri and Kumalarang were among the fortunate recipients of surprise gift packages. The delighted expressions on their faces and the gratitude they showed served as a testament to the program’s significance.
For the Muslim Isabeleños, Eid Sorpresa symbolizes more than just the act of gift-giving, it represents the intertwined values of community support and shared humanity. Each smile shared between the local government representatives and community members reflected the profound understanding that generosity knows no boundaries.
As families unwrapped their packages, emotions ran high, illustrating that this initiative is not solely about material offerings. For them it embodies a striking message of unwavering faith and love that persists despite differences in beliefs.
Behind each wrapped gift lies a deeper intention, to nurture well-being and happiness among Isabela City’s Muslim residents. The Eid Sorpresa event effectively transforms a simple distribution of gifts into a powerful statement of hope and resilience, reinforcing community bonds that connect people of all faiths. (NDR-PIA Basilan)
