Marcos signs law declaring 7 November a holiday for Muslim Filipinos
Daily Tribune[File Photo] A group of Muslims take a selfie photo after offering a praying during the celebration of Eid al-Adha at the Quezon Memorial Circle on Friday, 06 June 2025. Malacañang declared 7 November of each year as a Special Non-Working Holiday for Muslim Filipinos for the introduction of Islam in the Philippines.
Photo by Analy Labor for DAILY TRIBUNE
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act. 12228 declaring 7 November of each year as a Special Working Holiday for Muslim Filipinos.
This was done in commemoration of the establishment of the first mosque and the introduction of Islam in the Philippines.
The first Philippine mosque was constructed in Tawi-Tawi, following the arrival of Shariff Karim'ul Makhdum, an Arab missionary who was instrumental in spreading Islam in the region.
“It is the policy of the State to instill inclusivity to all regardless of religious beliefs, in line with the constitutional right to freely exercise and enjoy their religion,” Section 2 of RA 12228 read.
"Moreover, it is the State's policy to provide due recognition to the indispensable contributions of Muslim Filipinos in the development of Philippine culture and civilization," it added.
The holiday will be known as Sheikh Karim’ul Makhdum Day. The measure was signed on 9 July 2025.