April 2024. Each year, Muslims around the world welcome and live by the spirit of the holy month of Ramadhan. Ramadhan is the 9th month of Hijri Calendar. It is a season of fasting prescribed to every Muslim worldwide. This year, Ramadhan period was from March 10- April 9, 2024.
In the Bangsamoro Region, southernmost part of the Philippines, people surely have stories to tell about their practices and distinct observation of fasting.
The most remarkable highlight of the Ramadhan in Bangsamoro is the Ramadhan Lights that attracts people at night. It is installed at the Bangsamoro Government Complex, the seat of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) located in Cotabato City.
This attraction is a gift of the Bangsamoro Government to its constituents to have a safe place to enjoy at night with their families, friends and loved ones during this sacred month.
Ramadhan nights has become more illuminating with the program on Qur’an Reading at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. Contestants were coming from various local Islamic institutions in the provinces of the Bangsamoro Region.
This program helps in the preservation of the religious practice particularly in reading the Holy Qur’an. It helps popularize the holy book that communicates the teachings of Islam. The program aims to call upon the parents and the youth to engage in Qur’an Reading as an act of faith.
Symposiums related to Ramadhan and Islam were everywhere during the month. In urban and rural areas, on-air and online. Government and private institutions have also initiated lectures for their employees relevant for their spiritual, mental and emotional beings.
Similar with other Muslims in other places and countries, individuals, groups and families in the Bangsamoro Region likewise did charity works such as giving of free food packs for the fasting Muslims or organizing free Iftar (breaking of fast) in their localities.
Some known leaders and local government units have even prepared Grand Iftar during this holy month, as joined by thousands of constituents and also non- Muslims who are partners in peacebuilding.
Non- government organizations distributed food supplies to selected communities with the support of humanitarian foundations from the other countries.
This year, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) has delivered food packs to hundreds of families in selected areas in Bangsamoro Region. There were also families who have received zakat as sponsored by a partner organization from Turkey.
Feature story
Shaida Watamama, 17, shares how her story of Ramadhan this year being away from her family for the first time. She is from Barangay Kidati, Talayan, Maguindanao del Norte.
In May 2023, Shaida in desire to help her family decided to work in the city as house helper. She is not studying anymore due to workload at home, where she aids her mother to take care of younger siblings.
Away from her family since then, this year, Shaida spent Ramadhan in the city (for the first time), where she is currently working.
She helps in family of six where both the spouse are working, three kids studying and the youngest being left at home whom she takes care of.
Despite the distance from her own family, Shaida is happy to help. She is delighted that her family has become a recipient of the food pack (25kgs of rice with assorted grocery items) and of zakat (financial assistance) during Ramadhan.
Ramadhan in Bangsamoro is a regular documentation activity of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) every year to capture highlights of practices observed during this sacred month.
