For reverts, Ramadan is also a chance to prove to others that Muslims are not extremists, fundamentalists, terrorists or bombers.

MANILA — Among the millions of Muslims observing Ramadan in this largely Christian nation are Balik Islam - former Christians who have re-embraced Islam.

To many of them, the holy fasting month is a chance to test their religious mettle, especially that the fasting experience is completely different from Christianity.

"To me Ramadan will try me and my faith," Judgith Bade, a revert, told IslamOnlne.net.

"It is going to be tough but my faith, I firmly believe, will not fail me. I will surely relish the spiritual and even the health benefits of fasting."

Bade, who before is reversion was studying in a school for Roman Catholics to become a priest, recognizes the different fasting experience.

"I am not used to fasting. When I was a Catholic, we had this so-called Lent season. In this season we refrain from eating meat only every Friday. We also reflect during this period.

But Ramadan is different because you have to fast for a month."

The Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) has declared Sunday, September 24, the first day of Ramadan.

The decision came after receiving from the Moon Sighting Committee a report coming from Metro Manila and OMA's 11 regional offices that the crescent moon that ushers in the holy month of fasting was not sighted.

During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food, drink, smoking and sex.

True Religion

Bade has found solace in Islam.

Despite the negative image of Muslims wrought largely by the 9/11 attacks in the United States, he embraced Islam because "it is not a religion that it is painted to be. Islam is a religion of peace."

Bade is among hundreds of Filipinos who try to understand Islam under the tutelage of the Jumiato Moalafate Kolobohom for Da'wah and Guidance, an organization helping Balik Islam learn about their new faith.

"I found Islam to be the truest religion. I have studied Christianity in the seminary and I can say that Islam is the truest. That is why I have returned to Islam."

Randy Salem, president of Al-Islamia Foundation, said that despite all the doubts cast against Islam and the Muslims, "we see an increasing number of Balik Islams."

"More and more Filipinos are getting interested in Islam. I guess this is because of the interest generated by the noise created due to the bombings and other violence that involved Muslims. It has tickled the curiosity of many and caused them to study our religion, our beliefs."

Salem is happy that many become convinced that Islam is not a religion of violence.

"What makes me glad about this influx of non-Muslims wanting to know the truth about Islam is they realize we abhor violence, that Islam means peace."

Filipinos who reverted to Islam have formed a Council of Elders to guide them and raise their concerns and problems with the government.

The council, composed of 30 members, guide the whole Balik Islam community in addressing issues and concerns that are affecting or would affect them.

It also represents the community, estimated at some 200,000, in talking to the Philippine government officials if necessary.

Spiritual Journey

Ramadan, Salem told IOL, is a period of fasting and also "of proving once again that we love our fellow people, including the non-Muslims."

He invited non-Muslims to "join us all every afternoon when we break the fast together and experience how we enjoy it, how we enjoy another day of fasting."

Ponciano Dominguez Jr., who now carries the name Abdul Kharim, recalls he felt the way Bade does when it was his first time to experience Ramadan 11 years ago.

"I anticipated it with great enthusiasm, eagerness and excitement because it is a pillar of our faith," he told IOL.

"And by fasting, we are fulfilling what we are supposed to do. So this is a big thing for us."

Kharim has used Ramadan to "deepen my faith" spending much of his time reading the Noble Qur'an.

"This is the time for me to devout much of my time reciting the Qur'an and other religious texts. This is a special time for me to reflect."

Kharim, Bade and other Balik Islam insist that Ramadan, too, is the time for them to manifest their being one with the ummah and a time to prove to everyone else that "we are not extremists, fundamentalists,terrorists, bombers or what-not, but we are Muslims in thoughts, words and deeds."