ILIGAN CITY (PIA) -- Nearly 800 Muslims here convened at the Rabago Subdivision Park for a centralized Khutbatu Eid al-Fitr, a special sermon delivered during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan (the Islamic holy month of fasting).
Al-Jalis As-Salih (The Good Companion) Inc., a non-government organization dedicated to Islamic education and guidance towards understanding Islam, partnered with Masjid Al Mubarak to spearhead the centralized Khutbatu Eid al-Fitr.
Ustadh Abdul Jabbar Montañer, the chief executive officer and founder of Al-Jalis As-Salih, emphasized that part of the Eid'l Fitr celebration includes forgiveness, visiting relatives, preparing meals, and extending generosity to the less fortunate.
“Kabilang sa bahagi ng Eid'l Fitr yung pagpapatawaran, pagbibisita paghahanda ng bawat pamilya, pagbibigayan sa mga mahihirap, nagdadala ng pagkain sa mga kapatid na Muslim na mahihirap, nagbibigay ng kawanggawa. Mahalaga ito na kumukumpleto sa pag-aayuno ng mga Muslim sa buong buwan ng Ramadan,” he said during the Impormasyon at Aksyon sa Bagong Pilipinas (Information and Action for the New Philippines) teleradyo program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
(Part of Eid'l Fitr includes seeking forgiveness, visiting family members, preparing meals for each family, giving to the poor, providing food to needy Muslims, and giving charity. It is important as it completes the fasting of Muslims throughout the month of Ramadan.)
Philippine Information Agency Director-General Jose A. Torres Jr. interviews Ustadh Abdul Jabbar Montañer, the chief executive officer and founder of Al-Jalis As-Salih during the Impormasyon at Aksyon sa Bagong Pilipinas teleradyo program.
Montañer shared that their organization initiated the "Sponsor a New Muslim" project at the start of Ramadan to assist financially challenged Muslims, particularly new Muslims who had reverted and faced numerous challenges in embracing Islam and coping with difficult living conditions. The project aims to support their fasting by providing food or financial assistance on a weekly basis. They also offer support through visits to needy Muslims, providing groceries, and providing financial aid for their food purchases.
He stated that donations from Muslims and other individuals, such as professionals or businesspeople, who choose poor families to sponsor during Ramadan, make all of these efforts possible.
At the end of Ramadan, they promoted Zakat al-Fitr, which is an obligatory charity in Islam. He said that after the month of Ramadan, every capable Muslim is required to provide food, with rice being the primary choice. Additional food items can also be donated and shared among needy Muslims.
Moreover, their organization also collected around P5,000, which was used to purchase rice repacked into 3-kilos portions along with other grocery items and distributed to needy Muslims for their Eid celebration.
During the PIA’s teleradyo program, PIA-10 Regional Director Franklin Gumapon emphasized that the Christian community showed respect in the celebration of Eid Fitr. According to him, the display of unity not only affirmed cultural diversity but also showcased inclusivity in Northern Mindanao. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
