President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called for unity and solidarity among Filipinos to attain “genuine and lasting peace” amid “adversities the Philippines faces as a nation.”
“Let us bring forth the spirit of solidarity in our shared hope of attaining genuine and lasting peace,” Duterte said in his message for the observance of Eid’l Adha or Feast of Sacrifice of the Muslim communities on Friday.
“May this occasion invigorate you to remain steadfast in our task of ensuring triumph against elements that perpetuate discord and violence,” Duterte added.
Duterte, who hails from Mindanao region where government troops continue to combat threats of terrorism, urged Muslim Filipinos to commemorate Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah even if he will sacrifice his sin Ishmael as an opportunity to the Muslims “to renew their faith and reaffirm their devotion to the virtues of Islam.”
“Ibrahim’s admirable act of obedience to the will of Allah is a reminder to us all of the value of sacrifice necessary in our lives. It also exemplifies the necessity to surrender personal comfort for the greater good,” the president said.
“Together, let us become catalyst of unity and harmony in our respective communities as we firmly strive for the realization of our collective aspirations for our nation,” Duterte added.
Duterte on Tuesday declared September 1, which falls on a Friday, as a regular holiday nationwide in observance of the feast.