The observance of Ramadan among Filipino Muslim communities began peacefully on Thursday, February 19, at the Blue Mosque in Maharlika Village,Taguig City, with more than 1,000 worshippers in attendance.

According to a report by RH Jecelle Ricafort, mosque administrator Faisal Absara told DZRH News no untoward incidents were recorded during the opening of the holy month of fasting.

Absara said attendance on the first day of Ramadan was noticeably higher this year, attributing the increase to what he described as a growing number of individuals reverting to Islam.

He added that while more than 1,000 people joined the initial gathering, attendance is expected to significantly rise in the coming months, particularly during the observance of “Eid'l-Adha,“ also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, where participants could reach over 300,000.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. Beyond abstaining from food and drink, Absara emphasized that the observance serves as spiritual discipline.

He explained that it is about training the heart, mind, and character to become better, more compassionate, and closer to Allah.

The admisnistrator also stressed that Ramadan is not meant to burden believers but to teach self-control, encourage avoidance of wrongdoing, and remind the faithful of the struggles faced by the less fortunate.

Absara also took the opportunity to deliver a message to Muslim politicians amid ongoing issues of corruption in government. He urged them to distance themselves from corrupt practices, perform their duties with integrity, and resist temptations that contradict Islamic teachings.

The peaceful gathering at the Blue Mosque marked the beginning of a month-long spiritual journey for thousands of Filipino Muslims, centered on reflection, charity, and devotion.