Filipino Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha amid war

Muslims from war-torn Marawi City gathered early Friday to celebrate Eid al-Adha or the feast of holy sacrifice.

Residents of Marawi held the gathering at the grandstand of the Mindanao State University where they prayed for peace and made the traditional offering of animals according to a report from GMA News. Eid al-Adha is one of the most important holidays observed by Muslims all over the world.

The celebration continued amid the bombing and firefights in nearby areas of the city where the military continues its “final push” in the liberation of the city from the pro-Daesh militants.

The observance of the feast this year is said to differ from past several years as the battle continues on its fourth month.

Organizers and Muslim leaders told the news outlet that some residents in evacuation centers were not able to secure permits to return to the city to join in the celebration because of the conflict.The celebration is expected to end with the distribution of meat to the participants.

Meanwhile, thousands of Muslim devotees also gathered at Rizal Park, the country’s premier park in the capital Manila for the Eid al-Adha event which includes morning prayers, distribution of food and gifts and an imam’s sermon.

The devotees, as a gesture of the feast’s theme of sacrifice, pledged to raise funds for the victims of the Marawi conflict – most of whom are housed in different evacuation centers in Mindanao.

The Philippines has more than 10.7 million Muslims, mostly living in the island of Mindanao which has been under martial law since May 23, following the siege laid by the Maute and Abu Sayyaf group.