Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday called on his fellow Filipinos to contemplate on the sacrifices that can be made for nation-building. In his Eid al-Adha message, Marcos said he hopes the occasion inspires Filipinos of all faiths 'to respond to what our times ask of us, and to leave behind not only victory but renewal.'

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized the importance of reflection during the Eid al-Adha celebration, coinciding with the culmination of the Hajj. He urged Filipinos to consider what kind of offering truly strengthens a nation, stating that the measure is not in how much is given, but in what is restored: dignity, fairness, and compassion.

Marcos highlighted the significance of Eid al-Adha, commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim's faith and obedience in his willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael to Allah. He noted that the true essence lies not in the moment of sacrifice but in the silent moments that precede it, allowing for personal reflection and discernment.

The President conveyed that this sacred day calls for a remembrance that devotion becomes evident when individuals are challenged to release what they thought they could never give. He noted that the story of Prophet Ibrahim endures because it leads to the thin border between obedience and resistance, urging the soul to decide what truly matters.

Marcos described the observance of Eid al-Adha as an invitation to embark on a more difficult journey towards a state of heart. He noted that the best offerings are those that uplift and leave something stronger, emphasizing that true devotion involves giving up certainty and letting go of pride.

He concluded by stating that laying down temporal concerns creates space for the Divine to take root in hearts and the nation, where truth can shape the public good. Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice marks the culmination of the Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, and is one of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam, along with Eid al-Fitr.