Marcos’ Eid’l Adha message: Break chains of divisiveness

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday reiterated his campaign message of unity, calling on Filipinos in his Eid'l Adha message to go beyond their differences  and "break the chains of divisiveness."

Marcos has declared July 9 as a regular holiday, saying Eid'l Adha was one of the two greatest feasts of Islam.

"Let us therefore offer ourselves for the sake of others and take to heart the lessons we learn so that we may be rewarded spiritually and become worthy recipients of Allah’s manifold blessings and protection," Marcos said in his message.

"As we join hands towards achieving our shared goals, I hope that we will transcend our differences, break the chains of divisiveness, and emerge strong as one nation," he added.

Vice President Sara Duterte said she hoped that the sacred occasion would "continue to inspire us to act with kindness and compassion."

"We join them in offering prayers for the whole nation so that we live in peace and further strengthen our unity and solidarity. We also join them in praying for a strong government as we pursue meaningful and inclusive change and development," she added. 

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

Marcos remembered how "Ibrahim offered his son in obedience to Allah," saying that "in entrusting ourselves and surrendering our worries to Supreme Authority, all our hearts’ desires for the greater good will be heard and granted."

"This day reminds us that, with deep faith and loyalty to our virtues, we can take risks for hefty costs, even if it means losing those whom we love and letting go of many things that matter to us," Marcos said.

The President also said that at the beginning of his administration, the country should prepare "to go beyond our comfort zones as we walk the path we have willingly chosen."

"The journey ahead of us will not be easy, but if we fight for what is right and predicate our every action on our love for our fellowmen and women, our people will surely benefit from the results of our individual choices," Marcos said. —NB/VBL, GMA News