AN ACT DECLARING THE FIRST DAY OF SHAWWAL

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9177

Observance of Islamic Holidays:
- The first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, is declared a national holiday for the observance of Eidul Fitr. (Section 1)
- The tenth day of Zhul Hijja, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, is declared a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the observance of Eidul Adha. (Section 1)

Definitions:
- Eidul Fitr marks the end of the thirty (30)-day fasting period of Ramadhan. (Section 1)
- Eidul Adha is the tenth day in the month of Hajj or Islamic Pilgrimage to Mecca, wherein Muslims pay homage to Abraham's supreme act of sacrifice and signifies mankind's obedience to God. (Section 1)

Determination of Dates:
- The approximate date of these Islamic holidays may be determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. (Section 1)

Amendment to the Administrative Code of 1987:
- Section 26, Chapter 7 of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the Revised Administrative Code of 1987, is amended to include Eidul Fitr as a regular holiday and Eidul Adha as a regional holiday in ARMM. (Section 2)

Implementation and Supervision:
- The implementation of this Act shall be under the supervision of the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA), which shall promulgate the rules and regulations pursuant to the provisions of this Act. (Section 3)
- The Grand Mufti may submit suggestions relative to the rules and regulations for consideration by the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA). (Section 3)

Repealing Clause:
- All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations, and any part thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. (Section 4)

Effectivity:
- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. (Section 5)