NCMF calls on Muslims to pray for end to COVID-19 pandemic

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) urged the Muslim community to pray for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan made the call as Muslim Filipinos marked Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice on Friday.

“Let us offer our prayers and supplications to the ending of this global health crisis. Let us unite as one nation through concerted action of every Filipino under the able leadership of our beloved President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Pangarungan said in a statement.

He also hailed the frontliners and those who comply with the public health precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Pangarungan asked those “in pain and suffering during these trying times” to “keep the faith.”

“Sacrifices enable our victories. The highest of sacrifices are the reasons for the most celebrated of victories. May you all recognize the value of your sacrifice,” he said.

Julkipli Wadi, an Islamic studies professor at the University of the Philippines, said the pandemic has affected religious habits.

“Napakalaki ng epekto niyan dahil obligasyon sa Islam iyong gagawin iyong mga religious congregation nang sabay-sabay,” Wadi said in a televised briefing on Friday.

“Halimbawa sa isang masjid o isang mosque, eh karamihan ng komunidad na may Muslim mayroong palaging mosque at diyan ginagawa iyong pagdarasal limang beses isang araw. So isipin mo na lang kung nakasara iyan at hindi magamit dahil dito sa COVID-19; so, medyo emosyonal ang ating mga kapatid pagdating diyan.”

Wadi said Muslims had to make adjustments.

“Katulad nito may pandemya, hindi naman obligasyon talaga na kailangan mong magdasal sa masjid o sa mosque. Puwedeng magdasal sa bahay, kasama ang ating mga pamilya,” he said.

During Eid'l Adha, Muslims slaughter sheep, goats, cows, and camels to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah's command.

It is one of the two important holidays in the Muslim calendar, the other being Eid'l Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Duterte declared July 31 a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Adha.—AOL, GMA News