The holy month of Ramadan in the country, starts on Sunday, March 2, 2025, this was confirmed by National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) –Palawan Field Officer, Development Management Officer Said-Alih K. Sha.
This was based on the result of the moonsighting activity conducted by some Muslims in the locality in the evening of February 28, 2025, in Nagtabon, Barangay Bacungan, Puerto Princesa City.
Sha said that NCMF Palawan Field Office conducted “Moon sighting & Palm Date (Khulmah) Distribution at Nagtabon , Bacungan , Puerto Princesa City in collaboration with Palawan Ulama Supreme Council & other Muslim Organizations”.
“Ito na po ang official na sinabi ng ating Mufti Shaykh Abubakar S. Nasil at President ng Palawan Ulama’ Supreme Council Shaykh Abdulnaser Jameeron: Dahil hindi nakita ang panibagong buwan, kukompletuhin ang 30 days ng Sha’ban at sa Sunday, March 02, 2025, ang umpisa ng Ramadan,” he explained.
The NCMF through their Secretary is urging the Muslim communities to prepare for the observance of the hold month.
“As a national government agency in the Philippines established to represent and advocate for the interests of Muslim Filipinos. The NCMF Secretary Sheik Sabuddin N. Abdurahim issues this urgent announcement: The first day of fasting for Ramadan 1446 H will begin on Sunday, March 02, 2025. Communities are urged to prepare accordingly,” NCMF said.
There are 11,892,267 Muslim Filipinos nationwide. Based on PSA 2020 census, Palawan has 101,235 Muslim, which is 10.83 percent of its 934,669 population, while Puerto Princesa, a city in Palawan has 8,887 Muslim that represents 2.94 percent of its 302,611 population.
The Muslim concentration in Palawan is mostly in the southern part of the island such as Balabac, Bataraza, Rizal, Quezon, Brooke’s Point, etc. In these towns, the Muslims are likely dominant and hold political power.
In a post of Sultan Kap Leo Pinto greeted “Alhamdulullah!” (Praise be to God) and showed Muslims who gathered in their place of worship on the 2nd night of the holy month. His post states: Tarawih (special Sunnah prayers involving reading long portions of the Quran) Abad Santos Grand Mosque in Barangay Princesa.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic, or Hijri, calendar. Muslims believe that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel during Ramadan.
The date of the start of Ramadan varies in different countries since it depends on lunar sighting in each respective location: “Fast when you see it (the crescent of Ramadan) and break the fast when you see it (the crescent of Shawwal).”
Marked as a period of fasting and praying, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.
Meanwhile, Eid al-Fitr which will mark the end of Ramadan and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. This year it is expected on March 30, 2025 or March 31, 2025, the announcement of the date will also be announced by the Mufti based on the result of the moon sighting at that time.
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