November 16 is a special non-working holiday

President Benigno "Pnoy" Aquino have declared November 16, 2010 a special non-working holiday. If I should say it, you might have no idea why he declared such day as a holiday. PNoy deemed it proper that Filipinos be one with the Muslims on celebrating an important Islamic celebration which falls on that day - The Festival of the Sacrifice or otherwise called Eid al-Adha.

Here a glimpse of the Proclamation No.60 declaring Tuesday next week as a special non-working holiday.



Wikipedia defines Eid al-Adha or "Greater Eid" as the celebration of the Muslims to commemorate the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Isma'il) as an act of obedience to God, but instead was able to sacrifice a ram (by God's command). It marks the end of the Pilgrimage to sundown, and ask God for forgiveness.

Muslims all over the world offer prayers and would sacrifice a cow, goat, sheep, or a camel on this day. They would also give gifts to poor people.