MESSAGE OF SENATOR RICHARD J. GORDON ON EID'L FITR

A glorious happy Eid'l-Fitr!

We join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating Eid'l Fitr, the most important festival in the Islamic calendar, which marks the end of Ramadan or the month-long journey of reflection, prayer and fasting.

As Filipinos, we should remember that we have a very important Islamic history and culture which is as unique as the other peoples of the Philippines tapestry like the Visayans, Ilongos, Cebuanos, Boholanos, Warays and the Luzon folks like the Tagalogs, Pampangenos, Bicolanos, Dumagats, Aetas, Atis, Ilokano, and others. We are all Filipinos who share one God, though we may call Him different names like Bathala, Allah or Diyos.

Let this occasion show that amidst the diversity in culture and religion, there is mutual respect and unity in the common good of an educated and a peaceful, prosperous nation with equal opportunities for all.

Joining them in the observance of Eid'l Fitr - a day of joy, thanksgiving, worship, brotherhood, solidarity, and morality for the Islamic faith, shows our high regard for our Muslim brothers who have played a big role in our country's history. They fought the foreign invaders and they were never conquered.