October 26, 2012 a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eidul Adha

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared October 26, which falls on Friday, as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eidul Adha (Feast of Sacrifice). The President issued Proclamation No. 488 on October 9, 2012 based on Republic Act. No. 9849. The said republic act provides "that Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a regular holiday."

"Eidul Adha is one of the two greatest feasts of Islam. The date of the festival is based on the declaration made by Saudi Arabia's highest religious body," the President said in the proclamation.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) recommended that the observance of Eidul Adha be on Oct. 26 and the Eidul Adha prayer be performed on the final declaration of the Saudi Government.

Eidul Adha is observed after the Hajj -- the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia.

A duty of each Muslim, as described in the Five Pillars of Islam, is to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during their lifetime, unless they are prevented by finances or ill health.

It is the second of the two major Muslim holy days. The other is Eid-ul-Fitr which follows Ramadan-- a lunar month of partial fasting.

Source: Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)

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