Manila: President Benigno Aquino III has declared the country’s oldest mosque in Tawi-Tawi in Southern Philippines as a national historical landmark.
Constructed in 1380 A.D., the Shaikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque at Tubig Indangan, Simunul town is considered as one of the country’s oldest existing Muslim house of worship.
The law declaring the Shaikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque as a National Historical Landmark, Republic Act No. 10573, was signed last May 24.
According to Aquino, said it is the policy of the State to preserve historical sites, monuments and other relics that represent the Filipino heritage and culture and should therefore be under the protection of the State.
The President also said that the declaration of the Shaikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque “underscore the immense contribution of the Islamic faith to the enrichment, vibrance and diversity of our culture and civilisation.”
A modern Mosque that was constructed in recent years now stand close to the site of the original wooden structure of the house of worship in Tubig, Indangan, Simunul.
The four original pillars of the mosque can still be found in Tubig.
Historic accounts say that Shaikh Karimul Makhdum was an Arab missionary who brought Islam to Tawi-Tawi during the 14th century. He converted island’s pagan and animist inhabitants to the Islamic faith.
In 2009, the Lower House approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 99, known as an “act declaring the Shaikh Karimul Makdum mosque as a national shrine.” The bill was principally authored by Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara.
According to Aquino’s declaration, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) shall exercise supervision over the preservation of the site and shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to fulfil its functions.
In order to afford the people an opportunity to participate in financing the preservation, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of the shrine, Aquino authorised the NHCP to organise and undertake a national fund campaign for the purpose of raising funds from private sources.
Although the Philippines is now a majority Christian country, Islam had predated the Cross’ arrival in the Philippines by nearly 200 years. There was a time when the group of islands, which is now referred to by the Philippines, was dominated by Muslims and pagans.
