PGMA joins peace-loving Muslims in “iftar” at Sofitel Hotel Saturday

MANILA, Sept. 20 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo once again “breaks bread” with peace-loving Muslims when she joins them on Saturday in partaking of the “iftar” or the evening meal which breaks the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan that started last Sept. 1 in the Philippines.

The President did it the first time last Wednesday in Pagadian City when she joined peace-loving communities there for the “iftar” where they feasted on fruits, bread, water and juices.

On Saturday (Sept. 20), the President will partake of the “iftar” of the World Islamic Call Society at the Sofitel Philippines Plaza.

Her presence at the Sofitel “iftar” will once more show to the world that majority of the Filipino Muslims are peace loving and that they reject the atrocities committed by renegade groups of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that earlier attacked several towns in Mindanao, causing deaths among the civilians and the displacement of thousands of residents.

The month-long Ramadan is the Muslim’s time for spiritual purification which is achieved through fasting, self-sacrifice and prayers.

Celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the fast is observed each day from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam.

The 14-hour daily fasting covers absolute abstinence from food and drinks, smoking and even the legitimate sexual contact of married couples.

Ramadan concludes with a three-day festival known as "Eid" or "Eid ul-Fitr," which literally means "the feast of the breaking/to break the fast."