Mayor Celso Lobregat extends his sincere and warm greetings to the Muslim community in Zamboanga and other parts of the world in celebration of Hariraya Puasa or Eid ul Fitr which marks the culmination of the Holy month of Ramadan today, September 10.

Eid ul Fitr symbolizes the celebration of break-fasting after completing the fasting of the entire month of Ramadan.

“It is a day when Muslims show joy and express gratitude for the health, strength, opportunities and blessings of life that Allah bestowed on them”, Mayor Lobregat said in his message.

He hoped that the celebration will exhort all peoples—Muslims and Christians alike—“to achieve our goal of moving closer together and bringing more progress and development for our beloved city of Zamboanga”.

Last August 30, Mayor Lobregat hosted for the 7th straight year, the pagbukah or breaking of the fast, attended by over 300 people representing not only the Islamic faith but the other religious sects as well.

He is the only city official who has consistently initiated such an activity in the spirit of friendship and respect to the Muslim community.

Leaders from various sectors have commended Mayor Lobregat for his steadfast commitment to sustain harmony between the Muslims and the Christians in the city by hosting the yearly Pagbukah or the breaking of the fast in the observance of the Holy month of Ramadan.

Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino said the city’s yearly hosting of the pagbukah or if’tar demonstrates Mayor Lobregat’s desire for continuous harmony and peace between the Christians and the Muslims.

“Pinapakita niya na dito sa Zamboanga yong Muslim community is considered very important partner of the city government,” the Westmincom chief said.

For his part, Prof. Ali Yacub, a respected Muslim leader observed that Mayor Lobregat has consistently hosted If’tar among the Christian officials in the city. “Nobody had ever duplicated the mayor up to this time, there were others who tried but after that they faded away”.

He explained that the If’tar is a very significant event for the Muslims specially at the moment when the prayer is said announcing that it is time to partake of God’s blessings.

Claretian priest Angel Calvo, who is involved in inter-faith activities, said pagbukah or If’tar is a very special celebration to feel the presence of God and reminds not only the Islamic community but all people of all faiths to continue walking and working together.

“This is very special, If’tar is more than a meal, it is a meal of religious significance and this is why it is more meaningful than just breaking bread together, it is more than a religious experience,” Fr. Calvo said.

Mayor Lobregat in his message emphasized that “this important occasion of Pagbukah or If’tar demonstrates our sincere appreciation to our Muslim brothers and sisters in this part of the world as you, during this holiest season in the Islamic faith, commemorate the revelation of Qur’an to Muhammed”.