RECOGNIZING MUSLIM HOLIDAYS AND PROVIDING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION.

WHEREAS, the Muslims of the Philippines observe religious
holidays which are equally observed by Muslims all over the world;

WHEREAS, only Christian religious holidays are recognized as
part of our national holidays and none arc included among important Muslim
holidays; and

WHEREAS, one of the basic goals of the New Society is to
strengthen the national community by giving due recognition to Muslim holidays
and making these a part of Philippine national holidays at least in the
provinces and cities where they predominantly reside;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the
Constitution of the Philippines as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of
the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972
and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, as amended, do hereby decree
recognizing Muslim holidays and making these part of our national holidays and
hereby further decree:

SECTION 1. Muslim holidays shall be officially observed in
Provinces such as Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del
Norte, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del
Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Muslim cities such as Iligan
City, Marawi City, Zamboanga City, Basilan City, Cotabato City, General Santos
City and such other Muslim provinces and cities that may be created in the
future out of the above-mentioned provinces and/or cities.

SEC. 2. The following are hereby recognized Muslim holidays,
namely:

a) Eid-ul-Adha (Hariraya Haji) which falls on the 10th day of the 12th Lunar
month of Zull-Haj;
b) Muharram (Ashura) which falls on the 10th day of the
1st Lunar month Muharram;
c) Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi (Ascension) which falls on
the 12th day of the 3rd Lunar month Rabbi-Awwal;
d) Eid-ul Fitr which falls
on the 1st day of the 10th Lunar month of Shawwal; and
e) Maulod-en-Nabi
(Prophet’s Birthday) which falls on the 12th day of the 3rd Lunar month
Rabbi-Awwal.

SEC. 3. The foregoing Muslim holidays may also be officially
observed in other provinces and/or cities where significant number of Muslims
reside or upon the request of the Muslim residents therein upon proclamation by
the President.

SEC. 4. The approximate dates of the above enumerated Muslim
holidays may be determined in accordance with the Muslim Lunar Calendar or
appearance of the moon or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is
possible or convenient: Provided, That the President shall be advised of the
approximate dates of the above Muslim holidays at the start of the calendar year
but not later than the 15th of January by the Muslim community and/or by the
Islamic Directorate of the Philippines, Inc. in order that appropriate
publication and announcement could be made to correspond with the
Gregorian-calendar.

SEC. 5. All Muslim employees of the Government other than in
those places enumerated under Section 1 shall be excused from reporting to
office in order that they may be able to observe the above-mentioned Muslim
holidays, provided that the President may declare by Presidential Proclamation
allowing Muslims employed in private offices, agencies or establishments, to be
excused from reporting to work without decrease or reduction in their usual
compensation or pay during the duration of the Muslim holiday.

SEC. 6. The implementation of this Decree shall be under the
supervision of the Office of the President who shall promulgate rules and
regulations pursuant to this Decree, upon consultation with leaders of the
Muslim community.

SEC. 7. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations
inconsistent with this Decree are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 12th day of September, in the year of Our
Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-three.

			(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President Republic of the Philippines
	By the President:
	(Sgd.) ROBERTO V. REYES
		Assistant Executive Secretary