Eid-Al-Adha: Eid Mubarak!

I am not a Muslim, but i had strong admiration in Muslim faith. Sacrifice, sharing and charity is the main reason why our Muslim brothers celebrate this day. Very solemn yet enjoys the blessings of Allah. 

More blessings, peace and good health to all of you my Muslim brothers!

Here are some ideas why Eid-Al-Adha is one of the major holidays of Islam.

According to Muslim tradition, it celebrates the sacrifice that Abraham was willing to make of his own son Ishmael when he was commanded to show his commitment to Allah. At Allah's direction, the angel Gabriel substituted a lamb for Ishmael, after Allah was convinced that Abraham would indeed sacrifice Ishmael to prove his faith.

On this day, Muslims celebrate in several ways. A large feast is the high point of the day. The name of the holiday, Eid Al-Adha, means "The Feast of the Sacrifice." An animal is sacrificed, in much the same way that Abraham sacrificed a lamb. One-third of the meat is given to the poor, and the rest goes to the holiday feast. Children get gifts to commemorate the holiday, and special prayers are said throughout the day.

Eid Al-Adha takes place on the 10th and last day of the Hajj, the celebration of holy pilgrimage to Mecca, in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims the world over are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to Mecca and celebrate.

What does Eid al-Adha commemorate?

During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows:

"Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)

One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superceded all others, that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.

Why do Muslims sacrifice an animal on this day?

During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.

Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.

The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.

It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)

The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

source:

islam.about.com

www.socialstudiesforkids.com

SCWC defines the real meaning of “Aid and Assist” as one of the Brotherhood's OB

To relieve the distress is incumbent among men but particularly on Masons who are linked together by indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortune, to compassionate with their miseries and to restore peace to their troubled minds... is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections. That is why SCWC created for the said purposes. I don't speak for the group. It is merely my own understanding on how SCWC defines our obligations to our brethren and family members.

Square and Compass We-Connect (SCWC) is a communications group of Filipino Masons via SMS and other internet media. It was established to help and extend our cabletow to the brethren in distress in real time assistance, like vehicle mechanical problems or collision along the road, tracking brethren in some places or offices for possible assistance, seeking blood donations for family members, and expanded it's services to brethren by giving way to important announcements and advisories for masonic events, prayers, birthdays and congratulatory greetings, advertisements, traffic and weather situations, news and health advisories, etc. by circulating queries and information thru our respective SCWC Moderators.

SCWC Stated Meetings

The officers and moderators of the group is “The Core” which composed of few brethren from different lodges of the MWGLP, they were Bro Joey Yu, Bro Anthony Tan, Bro Jesse Zamuco, Bro Cary Duval Uy, Bro Raymond Wong, Bro Pong Macatangay, Bro Boyet Chua, Bro Alex Daniel, Bro Yanzy Baldonado, Bro Jojo Narciso, Bro Maven Biscarra, Bro Alex Go, Bro Ver Del Rosario, Bro Wharton Chan, Bro David Maniquiz, Bro Joel Ferrer, Bro Steve Sia, Bro Juanito Tan, Bro Jake Romero, Bro Bob Alcedo, Bro Randie Dagatan and yours truly. I still commend the big contributions of Bro Nelzon Villanueva and Bro Gilbert Anyayahan in organizing the group.

SCWC is not an appendant body or club, it is merely a link between brothers from different phases in our society. It defines the true “On the Level” status of every brother.



SCWC visits Batangas::35

As of now the active members of the SCWC are almost 2,000 brethren from different lodges and districts in the Philippines wherein it is originated and now extended it's cabletow to other brethren in other countries.

 Taal beach resort


I'm so glad i became a part of the SCWC family. As SCWC Moderator assigned for NCR-A and RV-A & B. It became my daily habit before going to bed and waking up in the morning to check if there are messages needed for circulation especially those urgent and S.O.S. No day will pass by without receiving and sending messages for the benefit of the brethren. It's really a 24/7 labor. It's overwhelming, no day will pass by without receiving gratitude or thank you  messages from the brethren. It makes my day... it energizes me.

SCWC @ SJDM357

                                                               SCWC @ Tayabas
                                                                                                         
I cannot tell much more on how SCWC really works, it's accomplishments, how brethren and their family appreciates the existence of the group, but only a "testimonial" from the members will be the best medium to describe SCWC, for those curious and still not a member of the group.

There's also may i say disadvantages for being a member, it makes your personal mobile phone busy most of the time. Just a little reminder; if the queries are not directly needed your attention, then you can always delete it. But if you think you can extend a cabletow, then it is your calling.

Furthermore, i'm encouraging every Master Mason whether newly raised or not to become a member and feel what real brotherhood was. You can visit the Square and Compass We-Connect (FB Group) or give me a message below for more details... Thank you and God Bless us all!

Brethren of RVIII-B Tacloban

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo "masonically" led the 1896 revolution

Another Fellow Traveller i admired most.

Synopsis

Revolutionary leader Emilio Aguinaldo was born on March 22, 1869, in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines. In 1898, he achieved independence of the Philippines from Spain and was elected the first president of the new republic under the Malolos Congress. He also led the Philippine-American War against U.S. resistance to Philippine independence. Aguinaldo died of a heart attack on February 6, 1964, in Quezon City, Philippines.

Early Life

Emilio Aguinaldo was born on March 22, 1869, in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines. Nicknamed Miong, Aguinaldo was the seventh of eight children. His parents were of Chinese and Tagalog descent. His father, Carlos, died when Aguinaldo was just nine years old. Widowed, his mother, Trinidad, sent him to attend public school in Manila.

After graduating from the University of Santo Thomas in Manila, Aguinaldo returned home to Kawit, where he developed a growing awareness of Filipino frustration with Spanish colonial rule.

While serving as the head of barter in Manila, he joined the Pilar Lodge chapter of the Freemasonry in 1895. The Freemasonry was a government- and church-banned resistance group. It was through his role as municipal captain of this fraternity that Aguinaldo met Andres Bonifacio, a key figure in the fight to overthrow Spanish rule.

Independence From Spain

Eager to fight for the cause of Philippine independence, in 1895 Aguinaldo took up with a secret society of revolutionaries headed by fellow lodge member Andres Bonifacio. When a rival faction executed Bonifacio in 1897, Aguinaldo assumed total leadership of the revolution against Spain.

By December 1897, Aguinaldo had managed to reach the Truce of Biak-na-Bato with Spain. He and his rebels agreed to a surrendering of arms and accepted exile to Hong Kong in exchange for amnesty, indemnity and liberal reform. However, neither side kept up their end of the bargain. 

The Spanish government did not deliver in full all that was promised, and the rebels did not truly surrender arms. In fact, Aguinaldo's revolutionaries used some of Spain's financial compensation to purchase additional arms for the resistance. From Hong Kong, Aguinaldo also made arrangements to assist Americans fighting against Spain in the Spanish-American War. As neither peace nor independence had been achieved, in 1898 Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines to resume his rebellion against Spanish rule.

Back in Cavite, Aguinaldo forcibly set up a provisional dictatorship. After meeting with the Malolos Congress and drafting a constitution for a new republic, on June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo at last declared Philippine independence. Announced from his home town of Kawit, Aguinaldo's proclamation put an end to four centuries of Philippine oppression under Spanish Colonial rule. In January of the following year, dressed in a white suit at Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Aguinaldo was sworn in as the first president of the new, self-governed Philippine republic.


"The successful Revolution of 1896 was masonically inspired, masonically led, and masonically executed, and I venture to say that the first Philippine Republic of which I was its humble President, was an achievement we owe largely to Masonry and the masons."

                                                                                            - Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy

Philippine-American War

The United States, however, was not eager to accept the Philippines' new government. While the United States and Spain had been fighting the Spanish-American War, the Philippines had been ceded by Spain to the United States in the Treaty of Paris in December 1898.

Just two weeks after Aguinaldo's inauguration, an American sentry killed a Philippine soldier stationed at the San Juan Bridge, in a gesture of resistance against the newfound Philippine independence. On February 4, 1899,

the Philippine-American War exploded into action. 

Aguinaldo's revolutionaries quickly resorted to guerilla tactics, resulting in one of the bloodiest wars in American history, but in little direct progress for Aguinaldo and his cause. Concerning the apparent futility of his efforts in war, Aguinaldo said, "I saw my own soldiers die without affecting future events."

After three years at war, Aguinaldo was captured by American General Frederick Funston on March 23, 1901. After swearing an oath of allegiance to the United States, on April 19, 1901, Aguinaldo officially declared peace with the United States. By this time, the United States was ready support Philippine independence. Friendly relations, along with an American civil government, were established. Aguinaldo retreated to a private life as a farmer but never forgot the men who fought alongside him. In their honor, he would later establish the Veterans of the Revolution, an organization that arranged their pensions, as well as affordable payment plans for land purchases.

Aguinaldo took another stab at politics when he ran for presidency in 1935 against Manuel Quezon but lost. In 1950 he became a presidential advisor on the Council of State.

Death

Emilio Aguinaldo died of a heart attack at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Quezon City, Philippines, on February 6, 1964. His private land and mansion, which he had donated the prior year, continue to serve as a shrine to both the revolution for Philippine independence and the revolutionary himself.

source: bio.true story