Oct. 6 declared a holiday for Eid al-Adha

(Updated 5:31 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III has declared October 6 as a regular holiday in observance of Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

 

The declaration was made through Proclamation 875, signed by Aquino last September 12. 

 

Republic Act 9849 mandates the President to declare Eid al-Adha, an Islamic festival, a holiday. 

 

According to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Eid al-Adha "honors Ibrahim (Abraham)’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) on the order of almighty Allah."

 

The festival is marked with prayer and ritual sacrifices of livestock, a portion of which will be distributed to the poor. 

 

Eid al-Adha is commemorated after the Hajji, or the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. — Andreo Calonzo/KBK/RSJ, GMA News