By Lilian C. Mellejor
DAVAO CITY, July 17 (PNA) -– Hundreds of Muslims here gather for the congregational prayer at the open football field of the Agro-Foundation College of the Philippines to celebrate Eid’l Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Others joined the prayer in several mosques in this city.
At the end of the prayer, they shared food prepared for the first daylight meal. On Thursday, Acting Mayor Paolo Duterte distributed food packs containing rice, canned goods, coffee and sugar to Muslim families at the mini forest for their Eid celebration.
Muslim families spent a whole day in the mosques to celebrate Eid’l Fitr sharing food, holding games for children and other events.
A Muslim man, who requested not to be named, said Eid is a big celebration for them after having completed one of the pillars of Islam. He said it is a time of forgiving.
Meanwhile, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson, Sr. Inspector Milgrace Driz said the celebration of Eid’l Fitr was generally peaceful.
“We have seen the different tribes gather since dawn. There was no untoward incident,” Driz said in the vernacular.
According to Driz, DCPO has deployed at least 30 police officers to secure the mosques and the open field in Agro-Foundation and ensure a peaceful celebration. There were also members of the City Public Safety Company.
“We have also police members who are Muslims – so they also monitor the situation,” Driz added. (PNA)