COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The holy month of Ramadan officially began across the Philippines on Thursday, ushering in a period of fasting, prayer and spiritual renewal for millions of Filipino Muslims after religious authorities confirmed that the crescent moon marking the start of the lunar month had not been sighted during nationwide observations earlier in the week.
The formal declaration was issued by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani of the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’, the region’s highest Islamic advisory body, from the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. The pronouncement followed the consolidation of reports from moon-sighting teams deployed at strategic observation points nationwide, including the Bangsamoro region, Manila Bay, General Santos City and the provinces of Sulu, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.
Under Islamic tradition, when the hilal, or crescent moon, is not observed on the 29th night of the preceding month, the lunar month of Sha’ban is completed to 30 days. That determination set Thursday, Feb. 19, as the first day of Ramadan in the Philippines, aligning the country’s observance with several Southeast Asian neighbors.
For Filipino Muslims, Ramadan is the most sacred period of the Islamic calendar, commemorating the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad and emphasizing devotion, charity and communal solidarity. From dawn until sunset each day, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink and other physical needs, dedicating the daylight hours to prayer, reflection and acts of compassion.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos confirmed the results of the moon-sighting activities, which were conducted in coordination with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Islamic scholars and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Officials said the collaborative effort reflects both religious tradition and scientific observation practices adopted in recent decades.
Sabuddin Abdurahim, the commission’s secretary, extended greetings to Muslim communities nationwide, describing Ramadan as a time that strengthens faith through patience and sincere devotion. “This sacred month reminds us of humility, compassion and service to others,” he said in a statement, encouraging Filipinos of all faiths to recognize the spiritual significance of the observance.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also issued a message marking the start of Ramadan, calling on Filipino Muslims to embody kindness and empowerment throughout the month. The president described the daily fast as a discipline that nurtures empathy for those in need and draws believers closer to the values of mercy and justice.
“May this period of reflection deepen unity and mutual respect among all Filipinos,” the president said, expressing hope that the observance would strengthen national harmony across religious and cultural lines.
To accommodate religious obligations during Ramadan, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos announced the implementation of flexible working hours for Muslim government employees. In accordance with existing civil service provisions, office hours may run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. without a noon break, allowing observers to balance fasting practices with public service duties.
Across the archipelago, mosques and Islamic centers prepared for nightly Tarawih prayers, extended congregational worship held after the evening Isha prayer. Communities also organized communal Iftar gatherings, the sunset meal that breaks the daily fast, often shared among families, neighbors and charitable groups supporting the poor.
In the Bangsamoro region, where Islam has deep historical roots predating Spanish colonization, local governments and civic organizations launched Ramadan-related programs alongside religious observances. The opening of the Bangsamoro Ramadan Trade Fair in Cotabato City brought together small enterprises and artisans offering halal food, textiles and crafts, while Qur’anic reading competitions and youth activities were scheduled throughout the month.
Scholars note that Ramadan in the Philippines blends universal Islamic traditions with distinct local customs shaped by centuries of cultural exchange in Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. Lantern-lit markets, pre-dawn communal meals known as sahur gatherings and charitable almsgiving campaigns form part of the social fabric of the observance.
The Philippines’ start date this year coincided with those of neighboring Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, where religious authorities also declared Thursday as the first day of fasting. Saudi Arabia and several Middle Eastern countries began Ramadan a day earlier, on Wednesday, reflecting regional differences in lunar sighting practices.
Despite variations in start dates, the shared rhythm of fasting and prayer unites Muslim communities worldwide during the month. In the Philippines, where Muslims constitute a significant minority concentrated in Mindanao and urban centers, Ramadan also serves as a visible expression of religious identity and interfaith coexistence.
Interfaith leaders said the observance often fosters solidarity across religious communities, with non-Muslim Filipinos joining Iftar meals or extending greetings to Muslim neighbors and colleagues. Educational institutions and workplaces in mixed communities frequently adjust schedules or provide prayer spaces to support observers.
Security and local officials in major cities and Bangsamoro provinces said they had prepared for increased gatherings at mosques and markets, emphasizing community cooperation to ensure peaceful observances. Authorities also reminded the public to respect prayer times and fasting practices, particularly in areas with large Muslim populations.
For many families, Ramadan remains both a spiritual journey and a communal tradition passed across generations. Elders teach children the meaning of fasting and charity, while communities organize relief drives for those in need — a core element of the month’s emphasis on compassion and social responsibility.
As the first evenings of Ramadan unfolded, the call to prayer echoed across mosques from Cotabato to Manila, signaling the breaking of the fast and the beginning of nightly worship. For millions of Filipino Muslims, the month ahead offers an opportunity for renewal — a time to deepen faith, strengthen community bonds and reaffirm values of patience, generosity and peace.
Ramadan will conclude with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, expected in late March depending on lunar sighting, marking the end of fasting and the culmination of the sacred period. Until then, Muslim communities across the Philippines will observe the daily rhythm of fasting and prayer that has defined the holy month for centuries. ©️KuryenteNews