Ampatuan declares Monday a special non-working holiday

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan has declared, by virtue of Memorandum Order No. 198, Monday, 20th of July 2009, as a special non-working holiday in observance of the Isra’ wal Miraj.

Isra’ wal Miraj, which falls on the 27th day of the Hijra month of Rajab, is one of the official Muslim holidays recognized in the country under Presidential Decree No. 1083 (P.D. 1083).

Ampatuan enjoined ARMM constituents to commemorate the occasion in an appropriate manner. “We join the entire Muslim Ummah in observing this very important holiday,” he said.

Muslims world over consider the Isra’ wal Miraj or the Night Journey and Ascension of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) as one of the most important events in Islamic history. It refers to a two-part journey made by the Prophet from Mecca in one night. The first was to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem then on to the seven heavens.
During his journey, Allah (S.W.T.) revealed to him the five obligatory prayers among other important Islamic doctrines.

“The miracle of the Isra’ wal Miraj will always be an inspiration to Muslims, a test to his faith, while non-believers will find it bewildering,” said Ampatuan. (bpi-armm)