Ramadan covers a month of religious observance by the over one billion Muslims worldwide.

Ramadan is defined in the Qu'ran as “the month during which the Qu'ran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein.

Those who are ill or travelling may substitute the same number of other days. God wishes for your convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify God for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.’’

Today is Eid’l Fitr, the end of the month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word which means “festivity’’ while Fitr means “charity’’ or “nature.’’ The celebration today thus marks the breaking of the fasting period.

Eid’l Fitr is celebrated for three days in Arab and other Muslim countries after the observance of the arduous fasting month of Ramadan, the ninth in Islam’s Hijrah calendar. In the Philippines, the day is a special non-working holiday to allow our Muslim brothers and sisters to observe the end of a month-long period of fasting, prayer, and reflection.

Our Muslim brethren will start this day with a small breakfast before attending a salah, a special Eid prayer.

The Eid prayer is followed by the khutbah (sermon) and then a supplication (dua) asking for forgiveness, mercy, and help for all living beings around the world. The khutbah instructs Muslims as to the performance of rituals of Eid, such as the zakat, where believers freely share what they have with others, especially the less fortunate members of the community.

On the occasion of Eid’l Fitr, we wish our Muslim brethren, ‘Id mubarak.’’