Eid al-Fitr Description
Eid al-Fitr (Eid'l Fitr, known locally as Wakas ng Ramadan or Hari Raya Puasa) marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. In 2026, it is provisionally expected around March 20th, subject to the sighting of the new moon. It is a regular holiday in the Philippines under Republic Act 9177, recognizing the country's Muslim minority concentrated in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as well as Muslim communities in Metro Manila, Palawan, and other urban areas. The day begins with Salat al-Eid (congregational prayers) at mosques and open spaces. Families gather for feasts featuring traditional Muslim Filipino dishes such as beef rendang, chicken piaparan, and sweet delicacies like lokot-lokot and dodol. It is a day of forgiveness, charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and visiting relatives. Government offices, banks, and schools close nationwide. In BARMM, most businesses close. The exact date is confirmed through moon sighting by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), and the official holiday date may shift by one day accordingly. Travel to and from Mindanao is notably busy in the days surrounding Eid.
