World Bulletin / News Desk

Philippines President declared October 1 a national holiday as military attacks continue in Muslim south, Philippino media reported.

Muslims would be celebrating the Eid'l Fitr, or the end of Ramadan on that day.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued the directive under Proclamation number 1625, dated September 19, but was released by Malacañang on Monday.

"In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of Eid'l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, as a regular holiday throughout the country," the proclamation read.

Muslims celebrates Eid'l Fitr, three days after the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which started this year on September 1.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said on Sunday more fighting would most likely happen at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan if the military were to continue attacks against its forces in Mindanao.

The 11,000-member Muslim group has been battling for nearly 40 years to achieve self-determination in the south.

Philippine attacks has continued despite Ramadan, Islam's holy month, on Sept. 1.

The Philippines, an archipelagic country located in the western Pacific Ocean, has a population of 90 million people. The population of Muslims is about 12 million. Between the years 1450 and 1515, two Islamic principalities were founded on the islands of Sulu and Mindanao.

After four decades of armed conflict between the Filipino state and the Moro Muslims, the two parties agreed to sign an agreement that would end the conflict. However, the supreme court of the Philippine declared the agreement illegal on August 4, which caused the conflict to resume. During the ongoing clashes over Muslims were killed and over 250,000 were displaced. The displaced families are staying in tents pitched on marshlands and are trying to practice the fasting of Ramadan.