Vice President Sara Duterte urged the Muslim community to seek peace during her recent visit to the Manila Golden Mosque and Cultural Center in Quiapo, Manila to be one with Filipino muslims celebrating the Eid al-Fitr and to show her appreciation for their support.

Vice President Sara Duterte interacts with children during her April 8 visit to the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila. (Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)

“Binigyang diin ko rin ang kahalagahan ng kapayapaan at hinikayat sila na magkaisa sa likod ng mga namamahalang leader at huwag magbigay ng suporta sa mga taong nasa iligal na droga, terorismo, insurhensiya at kriminalidad dahil ito ang ugat ng kaguluhan sa mga komunidad (I also stressed the importance of peace and urged them to support the elected leaders and not to support people in the illegal drugs, terrorism, insurgency, and criminality because these are the root of violence in the community),” she wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday, April 11.

The official added that she visited the mosque to give away “Eid al-Fitr food packs” to mothers last April 8.

But more than that, Duterte’s visit served as a show of gratitude for the Muslim community’s support during the 2022 polls, when she won in a landslide.

“Noong nakaraang kampanya ay nagpunta tayo dito sa kanilang compound upang mangampanya at manghingi ng kanilang suporta (During the past campaign, we went here in their compound to campaign and ask for their support),” she shared.

“Kaya atin silang muling binisita upang magbigay ng pasasalamat sa kanilang suporta sa akin at sa aking trabaho bilang Bise Presidente at Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon (That’s why we visited them again to personally thank them for their support for me and for my work as Vice President and secretary of the Department of Education),” she said.

In her capacity as the country’s Education chief, Duterte also made a call to the mothers in the audience to urge their children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren to finish their studies.

“Dagdag ko pa na ipaunawa sa kanilang mga anak na mahirap at hindi magiging madali ang buhay ngunit kailangan nilang magsipag at maging matatag sa kanilang pag-aaral dahil ito ang makapagpapabago ng kanilang buhay at ng kanilang pamilya (I also asked them to make their children understand that life is difficult and will not be easy but they need to persevere and be steadfast in their studies because this will change their lives and that of their families’),” she stressed.

The Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and is celebrated with special prayers to Allah and food to share among the Muslim community.

Duterte also underscored that the day celebrates Allah’s truthfulness, as well as the time of gratitude, jubilation, forgiveness, and unity.