Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic lunar calendar, is the most awaited and anticipated time of the year for Muslims. It is a period of fasting, prayer and reflection, among other things. Minus the years we lived in the Sultanate of Oman, we have observed Ramadan in Metro Manila since we were young. This year is my 36th.

What exactly is Ramadan? Is it just fasting as the other faiths understand it to be? Ramadan is a month-long fasting from food, drink etc. While fasting is the most visible act, this period is more a time for spiritual reflection, self-discipline and connecting deeper to one’s faith (Quran recitation, self-reflection).

During Ramadan, our day starts much earlier. We take our first meal and drinks for the day at around 3 a.m. and then do our first prayer for the day (fajr). Fasting (nothing by mouth until sunset when Maghrib prayers are due) starts before the fajr. We are encouraged to practice self-restraint (i.e., from anger), patience and gratitude. Most importantly, we have additional prayers (taraweeh, qiyam al-layl). Our father used to tell us that at this time, we are specially made aware of other people’s difficult circumstances. Thus, we are given the opportunity to help and be kinder to others (zakat and sadaqah).

For us in Metro Manila, our observance is one of challenges and coexistence. Challenging? Yes! There are yet a number not knowledgeable about Ramadan. Compared to fasting in Lent, fasting in Ramadan lasts for 29-30 days. It is harder in Metro Manila being in a predominantly Christian community.

We live in environments following a different set of routines (school and work) that are incompatible with Ramadan practices, including halal food options. But with faith, we adjust to uphold our religious obligations. Majority of our Christian brothers, despite our religious differences, exhibit understanding: they avoid eating in front of us, give us kind words, adjust schedules — small yet meaningful acts that translate to deeper interfaith unity through reciprocal understanding.

This exemplifies unity in diversity as we observe moments of mutual respect with other religions. This is also evident in times when the Christian holy months coincide with our holy months. Different faiths can indeed thrive harmoniously!

Coexistence is attainable when diverse groups embrace their differences with openness and kindness. Definitely, unity in diversity is realizable. For decades now, our national government has taken strides to acknowledge the Muslim population as an integral part of the Philippines.

Institutional efforts to promote inclusivity, not only during Ramadan, include: (a) A Civil Service Commission (CSC) directive: the adoption of flexible work hours during Ramadan without penalties; (b) CSC gives Muslim employees time off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays for congregational prayers; (c) Philippine Coast Guard’s Brigada Masjid initiative led by Col. Alicman S. Borowa, where PCG personnel clean mosques (the Golden Mosque, etc.), in preparation for Ramadan, reflecting solidarity and respect for religious practices across different faiths; (d) recognition of two important Muslim holidays (Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha) as nationwide holidays; (e) the establishment of BARMM, etc. These efforts focus on how diversity reinforces rather than divides communities.

Personally, I acknowledge the above steps undertaken by the national government and which are embraced by our Christian brothers. This shows that there can be balance among diverse peoples, harmony springing from an understanding of each other’s similarities and differences. The respect we get while we are in Ramadan essentially tells us that harmony breeds understanding.

If different faiths can and do coexist during Ramadan, inshallah, unity in diversity can go beyond religious practices and traverse into all aspects of life.