Muslims in the Philippines Friday marked with a non-working holiday “Isra wal Miraj” or the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Mohammad Sallallahu Allaihi Wassalam and with Islamic religious leaders during the Friday prayer delivering “khutbah” (sermon) in mosques on the event’s significance.

Isra wal Miraj is being observed as a non-working holiday only in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), which is under the Office of the President.

NCMF Secretary/CEO Bai Omera D. Dianalan-Lucman said Isra wal Miraj is one of the Muslim holidays under Presidential Decree 1083 and recognized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) under Resolution No. 81-1277.

ARMM is composed of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.

Since Friday was a non-working holiday, Dianalan-Lucman said the NCMF will hold its austere celebration on July 12 among its management and rank and file personnel, with an Islamic religious leader discussing the event’s significance.

She said the observance of Isra wal Miraj Friday was mainly done in mosques led by imams (prayer leaders), who delivered the “khutbah” and reminded Muslims to adhere to the message of peace of Islam’s Prophet.

Dianalan-Lucman appealed to the NCMF’s constituents for prayers.

“In venturing to these undertakings, we implore our constituents’ prayers that we will be able to discharge our respective duties and responsibilities as public servants with transparency and accountability, that we will be able to govern with fairness and justice to all, and that we will be able to lead with the Almighty's guidance and protection,” she said.

She noted that the observance coincides with the commitment of the administration of President Benigno C. Aquino III “to bring greater heights of glory for the nation.”

The Isra wal Miraj, Dianalan-Lucman said, is very significant in the history of Islam, saying it was when Allah made “Salah” (five-daily prayers) obligatory.

Salah distinguishes man from animals and other creations, she added.

In the ARMM, acting Gov. Ansaruddin Adiong cited the event’s role in paving the way for peace, unity, and co-existence among all Filipinos.

“We greet with fervent prayers every Muslim Filipino on the observance of Lailatul Isra wal Miraj, which marks the divine journey of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to Heaven. The occasion befits our reflection of the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (SWT) in the propagation of peaceful and productive co-existence of all peoples of different faiths, a kind of campaign that remains very relevant in Asia’s only Catholic nation. Let us talk and work for peace,” said Adiong.

NCMF Commissioner Datu Aladdin I. Ampatuan said in celebrating Isra wal Miraj “our people should remember and practice the Prophet’s message of peace, not just today but throughout the year.”

Ampatuan said Islam’s messenger had enjoined his followers to do good and avoid evil.

“We should put this message to heart,” he said.

Isra wal Miraj means the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet, which Muslims believe took him from Mecca in Saudi Arabia to Jerusalem and then to Heaven.