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Muslims celebrate ‘Isra wal Miraj’ery -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Muslims celebrate ‘Isra wal Miraj’ery Muslims will celebrate on Monday, "Isra wal
Miraj," the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Allaihi Wassalam's "Night
Journey and Ascension," which Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan has declared a non-working holiday in the region's
five provinces and one city. Referring to Isra wal Miraj, the Muslim Holy Qur'an
said in Chapter 17 (Al-Israa', Verse 1: "Glory be to Him Who made His
servant go in the night from the Sacred Mosque to the remote mosque of which We
have blessed the precincts, so that We may show to him some of Our signs;
surely He is the Hearing, the Seeing." Comprising the ARMM are the provinces of Basilan,
Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the city of Marawi. Ampatuan sent his warmest greetings to his ARMM
constituents, saying the observance of the Prophet's nocturnal journey and
ascension is an occasion that must be used to highlight his teachings on peace,
moderation, tolerance, and harmony among Muslims and non-Muslims. "Let us instill in our hearts and minds the
Prophet's teachings which are based on the Holy Qur'an and use them to strengthen
the quest for peace and economic prosperity," the regional governor said. "The Prophet's Isra wal Miraj should inspire us
to be more God-fearing, more tolerant with people of other faiths, and more
determined to work for the attainment of peace in the ARMM and in the whole
country," said Ampatuan. In Metro Manila, Office on Muslim Affairs Executive
Director Datu Ali B. Sangki issued a memorandum to all OMA officials and
employees reminding them that Isra wal Miraj is a holiday for Muslims. Sangki said all OMA officials and personnel around
the country – OMA has regional offices in Luzon, Mindanao and the Visayas – are
excused from reporting today to office. "It is an occasion we celebrate every year with
resolve to guide us on the meaning and significance of Isra wal Miraj to the
aspirations of mankind, especially in our interfaith dialogue this coming
December," said the OMA official. "I appeal to our fellow Muslims to enjoin good
and shun evil. Let us make a resolution from today to renew and strengthen our
faith in Allah and His prophet and at the same time strive harder in the way of
peace," added Sangki. On the authority of the regional governor, ARMM
Executive Secretary Oscar Sampulna issued a memorandum last week declaring
Monday, July 20, a region-wide non-working holiday to give the ARMM populace
enough time to observe Isra wal Miraj. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source URL:
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/211628/muslims-celebrate-isra-wal-miraj-ery |
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