And this rare opportunity takes place in this coming New Year revelry.

Christians and Muslims are one in celebrating this festivity, Congressman Abdullah "Bobby" Dimaporo (2nd District, Lanao del Norte).

In an interview, Dimaporo, a member of the powerful bloc of the Commission on Appointments and stalwart of the Lakas-CMD party, said that the Muslim lunar calendar and the Christian Roman calendar coincide on the first day of the Year 2006.

"This kind of event happens only for every 110 years or more than a century, and so I appeal to Muslims and Christians join together to celebrate this New Year," Dimaporo said.

He also said this rare event could be used to forge unity, and develop love and cooperation between Muslims and Christians to attain peace and prosperity.

On New Year’s eve (Saturday, Dec. 31), friends and relatives of Christians and Muslims from Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Iligan City, and Zamboanga provinces will gather in front of the provincial capitol in Pigcarangan, Tubod to jointly welcome the New Year.

Thousands of families in the town of Tubod would prepare sumptuous food for their visitors, guests, relatives and friends, noting that this rare event is a special one.

At midnight, a fireworks display will be held over Panguil Bay to add color to the revelry.

Gov. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, wife of lawmaker Dimaporo, asked her constituents, Muslims and Christians, to jointly celebrate the New Year fest in their localities as they look forward for better and peaceful country.