Code of Muslim Personal Laws

Article 169

The following are hereby recognized as legal Muslim holidays: (a) 'Amun Jadid (New Year), which falls on the first day of the first lunar month of Muharram; (b) Maulid-un-Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad), which falls on the twelfth day of the third lunar month of Rabi-ul-Awwal; (c) Lailatul Isra Wal Mi'raj (Nocturnal Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad), which falls on the twenty-seventh day of the seventh lunar month of Rajab; (d) 'Id-ul-Fitr (Hari Raya Pausa), which falls on the first day of the tenth lunar month of Shawwal, commemorating the end of the fasting season; and (e) 'Id-ul-Adha (Hari Raya Haji), which falls on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month of Dhu 1-Hijja.

Article 170

(1) Muslim holidays shall be officially observed in the Provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and in the Cities of Cotabato, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian, and Zamboanga and in such other Muslim provinces and cities as may hereafter be created. (2) Upon proclamation by the President of the Philippines, Muslim holidays may also be officially observed in other provinces and cities.

Article 171

The dates of Muslim holidays shall be determined by the Office of the President of the Philippines in accordance with the Muslim Lunar Calendar (Hijra).

Article 172

(1) All Muslim government officials and employees in places other than those enumerated under Article 170 shall also be excused from reporting to office in order that they may be able to observe Muslim holidays. (2) The President of the Philippines may, by proclamation, require private offices, agencies or establishments to excuse their Muslim employees from reporting for work during a Muslim holiday without reduction in their usual compensation.