Ms. Ronadale Zapata
                                                                                                                                               83321148/8334507

                                                                          

Eid il Fitr gives Filipinos reason for renewed hope -- KABAYAN
03 November 2005



May the sprit of unity ushered by Eid il Fitr guide us all Filipinos, Muslims and Christians alike, as we
face the daunting challenges ahead in attaining much-needed progress and development in our country, as well as achieving a lasting solution to the drawn-out conflict in the South.


This is the fervent hope of Vice President Noli ‘Kabayan’ De Castro as Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadhan with the observance of Eid il Fitr.


Vice President De Castro also commended all Muslims in the peaceful conduct of the month-long Ramadhan where sacrifices and continuous prayers highlighted the true teachings and traditions of lslam.


The Vice President explained that amidst all the violence and terroristic activities that have been committed even in countries with strict security measures, this is a most significant opportunity to show the world that Muslims are peace-loving people that generally shun violence as a way of life.


With the peace process between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government to commence soon, Vice President De Castro is highly optimistic that the Eid il Fitr atmosphere would prevail and finally bring about the harmony and progress that have long been awaited not just for Mindanao but for the whole country as well.


The Vice President also enjoined all to be one with the Muslim world in this day of their thanksgiving and reflect on the blessings we have been given so far, safe from all the worries brought about by natural calamities -- hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes -- and even by man-made disasters like the series of suicide bombings that have wrecked havoc to lives and properties of mostly innocent victims.