MALACAÑANG –The Philippine government has officially declared June 28 as a national holiday to honor and celebrate Eid’l Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice.

Proclamation No. 258, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 13, 2023, acknowledges the global significance of Eid’l Adha, which is considered one of the greatest feasts in the Islamic faith.

The proclamation, in accordance with the 1444 Hijrah Islamic Lunar Calendar, follows the recommendation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

Republic Act No. 9849 previously designated the tenth day of Zhul Hijja, the twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar, as a movable national holiday to observe Eid’l Adha.

This festival, which is the second of the two major holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide, involves the sacrificial offering of an animal.

In Muslim communities, families consume a portion of the meat, while the remainder is distributed among the less fortunate and the needy, making the event a festival of sharing.

Similar to Eid’l Fitr, Eid’l Adha is distinguished by a communal prayer held at daybreak on its first day, fostering unity and spiritual connection among Muslim communities.