ALABEL, Sarangani (August 17, 2012) – Muslim employees at Capitol, Muslim leaders from SOCSARGEN (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City), provincial officials and partners from the International Monitoring Team celebrated a Grand Iftar Wednesday (August 15) in observance of the holy month of Ramadhan.

The provincial government through the Kalinaw Sarangani Unit, a peace and development program of the province, organized the 4th Grand Iftar held at the Capitol gym.

According to Jocelyn Lambac Kanda, “parang tayo yong isa sa mga probinsiya na nagho-hold talaga ng Grand Iftar. At least ika 4th na natin ito, to really give tribute sa mga people natin sa Sarangani since tri-people tayo dito.”

Iftar means breaking of the fast. It is one of the religious observances of Ramadhan wherein Muslims gather together for a solidarity dinner.

The aim of Grand Iftar “ay syempre yong strong brotherhood and camaraderie among our Muslim brothers and non-Muslims,” said Kanda, head of Kalinaw Sarangani Unit.

“Grand Iftar is not for the Muslim people alone, but also for Christians to at least mag observe sila at malaman nila kung ano ang Ramadhan at ano ang ginagawa, pano sila mag break ng fast, ano yong mga seremonyas,” she said.

“Like si Gov. (Migs Dominguez), non-Muslim si Gov. but he is celebrating as well the culture of his constituents,” Kanda added.

For Gov. Migs Dominguez, “it will be a time for us to reflect and thank God and Allah for all the blessings that He has given to us, to our families, and the province.”