Recognition of Muslim Holidays

September 12, 1973

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 291

RECOGNIZING MUSLIM HOLIDAYS AND PROVIDING FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION

WHEREAS, the Muslims of the Philippines observe religious holidays which is equally observed by Muslims all over the world;

WHEREAS, only Christian religious holidays are recognized as part of our national holidays and none are included among important Muslim holidays; and

WHEREAS, one of the basic goals of the New Society is to strengthen the national community by giving due recognition of Muslim holidays and making it a part of Philippine national holidays at least in the provinces and cities where they predominantly reside.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution of the Philippines as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 dated September 21, 1972 and General Order No. 1 dated September 22, 1972, as amended, do hereby decree recognizing Muslim Holidays and making it part of our national holidays and hereby further decree:

SECTION 1. Muslim holidays shall be officially observed in Provinces such as Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Muslim cities such as Iligan City, Marawi City, Zamboanga City, Basilan City, Cotabato City, General Santos City and such other Muslim provinces and cities that may be created in the future out of the above-mentioned provinces and/or cities.

SECTION 2. The following are hereby recognized Muslim Holidays, namely:

(a) Eid-ul-Adha (Hariraya Haji) which falls on the 10th day of the 12th Lunar month of Zull-Haj;

(b) Muharram (Ashura) which falls on the 10th day of 1st Lunar month Muharram;

(c) Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi (Ascension) which falls on the 12th day of the 3rd Lunar month Rabbi-Awwal;

(d) Eid-ul-Fitr which falls on the 1st day of the 10th Lunar month of Shawwal; and

(e) Maulod-en-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday) which falls on the 12th day of the 3rd Lunar month Rabbi-Awwal.

SECTION 3. The foregoing Muslim holidays may also be officially observed in other provinces and/or cities where significant number of Muslims reside or upon the request of the Muslim residents therein upon Proclamation by the President.

SECTION 4. The approximate dates of the above enumerated Muslim holidays may be determined in accordance with the Muslim Lunar Calendar or appearance of the moon or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient, provided that the President shall be advised of the approximate dates of the above Muslim Holidays at the start of the Calendar year but not later than the 15th of January by the Muslim community and/or by the Islamic Directorate of the Philippines, Inc. in order that appropriate publication and announcement could be made to correspond with the Gregorian calendar.

SECTION 5. All Muslim employees of the government other than in those places enumerated under Section 1 shall be excused from reporting to office in order that they may be able to observed the above-mentioned Muslim holidays, provided that the President may declare by Presidential Proclamation allowing Muslims employed in private offices, agencies or establishment to be excused from reporting to work without decrease or reduction in their usual compensation or pay during the duration of the Muslim holiday.

SECTION 6. The implementation of this Decree shall be under the supervision of the Office of the President who shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to this Decree, upon consultation with leaders of the Muslim community. cd

SECTION 7. All laws, Executive Orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Decree are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. This Decree shall, take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 12th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Three.