The NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS was created by virtue of

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997 (abolishing the Office on Muslim Affairs) and was approved on
February 18, 2010 by Her Excellency PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO.

______________________________________________________________________ Republic of the Philippines

Directory of NCMF Officials
HON. BAI OMERA D. DIANALAN-LUCMAN
Secretary
HON. MUFTI G. JAAFAR HON. HATIMIL E. HASSAN
Commissioner
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS
Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Office
Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City
Tel No. 991-3156 Telefax No. 992-1404
_________________________________________________
April 5, 2010
Commissioner ASSALAMU ALAIKUM.

Greetings of Peace to all:

HON. EDILWASIF T. BADDIRI HON. ALEEM SHARIEF JULASIRI ABIRIN
Commissioner Commissioner This Office spearheads the observance of the Muslim
Legal Holidays as mandated by P.D. 1083 otherwise known
HON. SOLAIMAN C. MUTIA HON. RAIDA B. MAGLANGIT as the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines
dated December 23, 1974; Civil Service Commission
Commissioner Commissioner Resolution No. 81-1277 dated November 13, 1981; Republic
Act No. 9177 dated November 13, 2002 and Republic Act
HON. MONER M. BAJUNAID HON. ALLADIN I. AMPATUAN No. 9849 dated December 11, 2009.
Commissioner Commissioner In support of that duty, we have published this leaflet
which lists and describes the significance of these legally
recognized Muslim Holidays and how Muslims observe
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS them.
Jocfer Annex Bldg. 79 Commonwealth Avenue For your information and ready reference.
Diliman, Quezon City
952-6490 to 96
WASSALAM,
Published by: Cultural Affairs Division
NCMF, Zamboanga City NASHIER A. HAJIM
Regional Director
 SIGNIFICANCE OF MUSLIM LEGAL HOLIDAYS
1. AMUN JADID (ISLAMIC NEW YEAR)
 Falls on the first day of the first lunar month of the Islamic year. The day is celebrated in
commemoration of the HIJRA, flight of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Madina.
He fled to Madina together with Abubakar because he was persecuted by the people of
Mecca for teaching Islam. In Madina, he was welcomed by the people and was able to preach
Islam freely. It was during the second Caliph, Omar, son of Khattab, who upon consultation
with the Holy Prophet declared the first day of Muharram of the Hijra to be the first day of
the first year of the Islamic calendar.(July 15, 662 A.D.)
 The Muslims on this day should renew their faith and strive to practice Islam in obedience
to the commandments of ALLAH and the teachings of his Prophet.
 The day is celebrated by exchanging greetings, beneficial things, material or immaterial
ones and relating the stories about the Holy prophet and his companions which in one way or
the other serve as an inspiration for the Muslims to internalize ALLAH’s guidance for
mankind.
2. MAULUDDIN NABI (BIRTHDAY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD PBUH)
 Falls on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the 3 rd lunar month of the Islamic New Year. Mauluddin
Nabi is the celebration of the birthday of the Holy Prophet of Islam. Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) was born on Monday, the 12th of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, or August 20, 750 A.D.
 This date marks the most important event in the history of the world. Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) was the seal of all the Prophets, the bearer of the Qur’an, God’s final and
complete message to mankind. The Muslims celebrate this occasion with great rejoicing. This
is an occasion of joy and happiness. Assemblies are held to narrate the stories of the
Prophet’s childhood, manhood, his preachings, his character, his sufferings and his
forgiveness, his immigration, his treatment of others, his leadership in battles, and his final
triumph over the hearts of men.
3. LAILATUL ISRA WAL MIRAJ (THE JOURNEY AND ASCENSION)
This event is celebrated on the night of the 27 th of the month of Rajab, the 7 th month of the
Islamic calendar. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) saw in a most radiant vision the physical as well as
some of the spiritual signs of God. The Qur’an refers this experience in the following verse
“Glory be to Him who did take His servant for a journey by night from the sacred mosque
(Ka’aba in Mecca) to the farthest mosque (the remains of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem).
During this night the five daily prayers were prescribed by ALLAH. Muslims celebrate the night
by reading the Qur’an, relating the experience of the journey and spending the night
performing the non-obligatory prayers.
4. EID-UL-FITRE (HARI-RAYA PUASA)
(Declared a National Holiday by virtue of Republic Act No. 9177 dated November 13,2002)
 Which falls on the first day of Shawwal, the 1Oth lunar month of Islamic calendar
commemorates the end of the fasting season. Eid in Arabic word means festivity or recurring
happiness. Fitre is also Arabic, meaning fast breaking. This day is locally known as “Hariraya
Puasa”. The day is celebrated upon the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal, the 10 th month
of the Islamic Calendar.
 On this day, the Muslims throughout the world celebrate the occasion by performing two
rakaats of congregational prayer to be led by the Imam. The day is spent in almsgiving,
visiting friends and relatives and exchanging greetings of peace. The spirit of Hariraya is the
spirit of forgiveness. Muslim forgets all grudges and ill feelings towards fellowmen. He makes
a fresh start in his relations with others in a brotherly spirit.
5. EID-UL-ADHA (HARI-RAYA HAJJI)
(Declared a National Holiday by virtue of Republic Act No. 9849 dated December 11, 2009)
 Falls on the 10th day of Zulhijja, the 12th lunar month of the Islamic year. Eid, in Arabic
means feast or recurring happiness. Adha is also Arabic, meaning sacrifice. Eid-ul Adha
therefore means feast of sacrifice. This occasion is locally known as “Hariraya Hajji”. Hariraya
in Malay, means “Great Day”. The day is celebrated on the 10 th month of Zulhijja, following
the course of the haj. The event marks the end of haj ritual, an act of worship and the fifth
pillar of Islam.
 In the early morning of the 10 th of Zulhijja, a Muslim prepares himself for the Hariraya
congregational prayer. The Imam of the congregation delivers the Khutba or sermon citing
Qur’anic verses and Hadith or sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The subject relates to
the sacrifices of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) to slaughter his son, Ismael. Every Muslim who can
afford to slaughter a sheep, goat or cow must do so and the meat is distributed among the
poor. After the congregational prayer, Muslims greet one another with the greetings of
peace.
Note: PBUH– Peace be upon Him
Hijra Calendar – Islamic Calendar
Muslim Holidays are movable and subject to the sighting of the new moon.
Muslim Holidays under P.D. 1083; Amun Jadid, Mauluddin Nabi and Izra Wal Miraj.
(Observed within Region IX, Region XII, ARMM, and in Muslim areas)
CSC Resolution No. 81-1277; Amun Jadid, Mauludin Nabi and Izra Wal Miraj.
(Observed in Muslim areas outside of Region IX, Region XII and ARMM)