TAWI-TAWI – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has declared Tuesday a special public holiday in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao provinces in commemoration of the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Day.
Various activities initiated byARMM as well local governments of Tawi-Tawi were launched to provide greater meaning and color to the event. Tawi-Tawi, known as the ‘Cradle of Islam’ in the country, is where Arab trader and missionary Sheikh Karimul Makhdum introduced Islam in the Philippines 637 years ago.
Thus, his arrival resulted in the Islamization of the province and eventually Mindanao as well as many parts of the country before western colonizers took political control of most islands in the Philippine archipelago.
Government officials, from national to local leaders, graced the celebration which Filipinos regard as a historic occasion. It should be noted that Sheikh Makhdum’s efforts to introduce Islam in this part of the world has been recognized by historians and religious leaders in Southeast Asia.
Over the centuries, religious accomplishments of Sheikh Makhdum have been documented not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well. This would include the construction of the first mosque in the Philippines, built in 1380 in Tubig Indangan, Simunul. The mosque, still standing, has been named in his honor.
New officers of the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque Management Board (SKMMMB) also took their oath of office before ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman. The Department of Tourism-ARMM currently chairs the SKMMMB through Regional Secretary Ayesha Vanessa Hajar M. Dilangalen, with Bureau on Cultural Heritage-ARMM Executive Director Engr. Marites Maguindra as vice-chairperson.
Members of the board are Simunul mayor Nazif Abdurahman; provincial tourism officer Mobin T. Gampal; Hadja Nurmina Usman representing the academic sector; Hadji Faizal Malande, representing civil society organization and Muhulis A. Bayo representing the religious sector.
(Bureau of Public Information)
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