General Santos City (10 October) -- Muslim leaders here met Friday (October 5) to map out plans for the observance of the Feast of Ramadan or Eid'l Fitr on October 12, marking the end of the 30-day fasting of Muslims all over the world.

As an expression of support to the Muslim community, October 12, Friday was made a regular holiday pursuant to Proclamation No. 1397 signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Earlier city Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr., Office on Muslim Affairs-SocSarGen field director Atty. Guialil Jack Kanda, General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO) officer-in-charge SSupt George Po and Junior Task Force Gensan operations officer Capt. Emmanuel Garcia met with Muslim leaders to thresh out plans for the celebration.

Acharon together with other officials committed to support the feast of Ramadan as important and continuing Muslim event in the city.

Muslim leaders here were also confident that the celebration would have the full support of the Archdiocese of Marbel and the Kapayapaan Kapatid Council (KKC) both under the leadership of Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez.

Cynthia Guerra, area manager of ACT for Peace-SocSKSarGen-Davao del Sur Area viewed the tradition as a way to unify Christians and Muslims in the region.

Over the weekend, the city government in collaboration with the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and the local businessmen sponsored a feeding activity to some 200 Muslims who broke their fast after sunset.

Likewise some 48 Muslim families were given sacks of rice and other food stuffs to augment their supplies in time for the Ramadan feast.

The activity was initiated by Sugoda Buayan Royal House led by Rajahmuda Alimudin Hassan, Al Haj.