The list of Philippine Holidays for 2011 has recently been updated by the Palace after the President signed Proclamation No. 234 declaring August 30 as the Eid'l Fitr holiday for this year.

It's official. August 30 is the Eid'l Fitr holiday for this year!

MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 234

DECLARING TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST 2011, AS A REGULAR HOLIDAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN OBSERVANCE OF EID’L FITR (FEAST OF RAMADHAN)

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9177 declared Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan) as a regular holiday throughout the country;

WHEREAS, Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim World for three (3) days after the end of the month of fasting;

WHEREAS, to promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr,

WHEREAS, in order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Tuesday, 30 August 2011, as a regular holiday throughout the country.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare Tuesday, 30 August 2011, as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan). The Eid’l Fitrprayer shall depend on the result of the Niyata or moon-sighting activity on the 29th day of Ramadhan 1432H, corresponding to 29 August 2011.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.



Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary

Ramadan 2011, a holy month observed by our Muslim brothers in which they refrain from taking in food and fluids during daylight, officially starts today. The end of Ramadan ( Eid’l Fitr) will be on August 30, 2011 which has been previously declared a national holiday by the Malacañang.

In connection with the religious event, President Noynoy (PNoy) Aquino has released his message to the Filipino Muslim community. Check out the PNoy's message below courtesy of the Official Gazette.

Message of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III to the Philippine Islamic community on the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadhan

I extend my heartfelt salaam to the Muslim-Filipino community, as you observe the holy month of Ramadhan.

Your devotion to perform the essential requisites of Islam, such as the holy fasting, is an inspiring deed that attests to your reverence for the Almighty. Your steadfastness in your sacrifice during the 29 days of Ramadhan is also by itself an opportunity for enlightenment. Apart from being a personal quest of faith, Ramadhan serves as a representation of peace, as Muslims around the world embody the spirit of solidarity in this moment of glorification. I am thus heartened by how this religious event demonstrates the readiness of Muslims to be humbled by abstinence. I am confident that we remain united by our common endeavor to attain lasting stability.

I wish the Muslim-Filipino community a renewal that transcends this holy month. Our fellow countrymen are one with you in contemplating the importance of serenity in the fulfillment of our spiritual obligations.

Today (August 1) is also the death anniversary of former presidents Corazon Aquion (2009) and Manuel Quezon (1944).