Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua joins the congregational prayer, marking the Eid’l Fitr, at the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) grounds, Cotabato City on March 21, 2026. (Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
COTABATO CITY (March 23) — As dawn broke over the Bangsamoro, thousands gathered in open fields and mosques to mark the end of Ramadan—carrying with them a message that leaders say must outlast the holy month: unity, patience, and steadfast faith.
Across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Eid’l Fitr prayers were held early Saturday under clear skies, with congregations in Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Cotabato City, Lamitan, and the Special Geographic Area moving in near-unison at around 6 a.m.
In Cotabato City, worshippers filled multiple sites—from the city hall grounds to the Sultan Bolkiah Grand Mosque and the BARMM government compound—turning public spaces into centers of prayer and reflection.
At the heart of the observance was a call to sustain the discipline of Ramadan beyond its 30 days. Leading the congregational prayer, Regional Mufti Abdulrauf Guialani urged Muslims to carry forward the values honed during fasting.
“Unity, patience, and firm faith are what will see us through the challenges of our time,” he emphasized in his khutba, framing Ramadan as a “laboratory” for lifelong spiritual growth.
BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and regional officials joined the prayers, underscoring the occasion’s significance not only as a religious milestone but as a moment of collective identity for the region.
Observance schedules varied slightly. While most BARMM areas marked Eid on Saturday, parts of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City held prayers a day earlier, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s calendar—a reminder of the diverse traditions that coexist within the Muslim world.
Still, the message across sermons was consistent: the end of Ramadan is not a conclusion, but a transition. For many in the Bangsamoro, Eid’s real test begins after the prayers—when the values of restraint, compassion, and unity are carried back into everyday life.
