With Ramadan about to end in less than 10 days, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), headed by Secretary Bai Omera D. Dianalan Lucman, has recommended to Malacañang Sept. 10 as the date for the Eid'l Fitr national holiday, the Islamic festival of renewal, reconciliation, and peace that marks the end of the holy month of fasting.

Lucman's office sent a communication to Malacañang last week, recommending Sept. 10 (Friday) to be proclaimed the day for the Eid'l Fitr non-working holiday.

She also requested President Benigno S. Aquino III o hold an Eid'l Fitr reception in Malacañang.

"Eid'l Fitr reception with Muslim and non-Muslim leaders invited has been a tradition in Malacañang, what more with United States President Barack Hussein Obama hosting an iftar in the White House during the Ramadan," said Lucman.

The NCMF has not yet received any response from Malacañang as of Tuesday, although a Cabinet official was heard on e radio a week ago, saying the Palace is studying whether to declare Eid'l Fitr a holiday.

Islam has only two major festivals-- Eid'l Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) and is called Hariraya Puasa among Malay Muslims, and Eid'l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) at the end of the hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Eid'l Adha commemorates the patriarch Abraham's (peace be upon him) near sacrifice of his only son, which to Muslims was Ismael. To Christians, it was Isaac.

Both Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha (Hariraya Hajji) are now Philippine national holidays by virtue of Republic Act No. 9177 and Republic Act No. 9849 that former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo signed on November 13, 2002 and December 11, 2009, respectively.