Malacañang declared Monday, 27 January 2025, a holiday for Muslims in observance of Isra Wal Mi’raj, or the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad.

In a statement on Sunday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin clarified that the holiday will be observed specifically in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other Muslim areas in the country.

“Not a National Holiday, but a Muslim holiday only in BARMM and other Muslim areas defined in the Muslim Code,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Bersamin said Muslim Filipinos in other areas where the occasion is not observed as a holiday, such as the National Capital Region (NCR), are excused from reporting for work.

Al Isra Wal Miraj is regarded as the night when the beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) embarked on the famous night journey and ascension, also known as Shab-e-Miraj.

This night is commemorated on the 27th of Rajab — the seventh month in the Hijri or Gregorian (Islamic) calendar.

Al Isra Wal Miraj marks a miraculous night when Prophet Muhammad traveled from Makkah to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem before ascending to heaven.

Isra’ refers to the night journey from Makkah to Masjid Al-Aqsa, while Mi’raj is the ascension from Masjid Al-Aqsa to the heavens.