BARMM implements modified working hours for Ramadan
DAVAO CITY – All offices in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have modified its working hours for Muslim officials and employees as part of the observance of Ramadan.
A memorandum issued by Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said regular working hours from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. will be adjusted to 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. during Ramadan based on Presidential Decree No. 291 and relevant Civil Service Commission (CSC) resolutions.
“This adjustment aims to accommodate the religious practices of Muslim employees while ensuring compliance with the required 40-hour work week under civil service regulations,” the Bangsamoro Information Office said in a statement.
The adjusted working hours will take effect on Sunday, March 2, the first day of Ramadan.
After Eid’l Fitr or the end of the month-long observance, all employees will revert to the regular 8 a.m.-5 p.m. schedule.
The month-long observance of Ramadan will begin on March 2 as the crescent moon was not sighted on Friday night, Feb. 28, the Bangsamoro Grand Mufti said.
“In accordance with Islamic tradition, when the moon is not visible, the current lunar month is completed as 30 days. Therefore, the observance of fasting for the Holy Month of Ramadan 2025 will commence on Sunday, March 2,” said Bangsamoro Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani, who is also the executive director of the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta.
Guialani said that moon or hilal sighting is an essential practice in Islam to determine the start of a new lunar month.
He added that the Islamic calendar follows the moon’s cycles, and when the crescent is not seen, the month is completed before the next one begins.
This Islamic tradition marks the beginning of a month-long commitment to self-discipline, worship, and charitable act, the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta said.
During Ramadan, Muslims all over the world are required to observe fasting, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. During this period, adults refrain from drinking water, eating, and other physical needs from dawn to sunset to strengthen their faith and discipline.
The fast is broken daily with Iftar, the evening meal, often starting with dates and water, following the tradition of the Prophet Mohammad.