Tubig Indangan (Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao). In 1380, an Arab missionary from Saudi Arabia named Sheik Karimul Mackdum reached Tubig Indangan in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao and supervised the construction of the mosque thus marking the introduction of Islam faith in the Philippines.
Thousands of Muslims from the different towns in Tawi-Tawi have gathered for two days in the island of Simunul participating in the celebrations on the founding of the first mosque in the Philippines.
The first Muslim mosque known as the Masjid Sheik Karimal Mackdum, which was built in Indangan village in the island of Simunul by the Arab Muslim missionary from Mecca 628 years ago, signaled the propagation of Islam in the Philippines.
Sometime in November 2006, the Senate approved a proposal to declare the Philippines' oldest Islamic landmark located in Simunul as a national shrine in recognition to the contribution of Islam in the development of culture and civilization in the country.
Since Thursday, people converged on an area close to Sheik Karimal Mackdum Mosque with a variety of activities dubbed as Ziarang Simunul or Visit Simunul, based on the spirituality and cultural integrity of peoples of Mindanao.
Local government officials said a fluvial parade of decorated Sama tribe bancas signaled the different activities leading to the Friday congregational prayer at the Sheik Karimal Mackdum Mosque.
"The heart of the campaign is a symbolic gesture that signifies unity on the various people of ARMM and affirms Islam as a religion of peace," the municipal officials of Simunul said in a statement issued to the media.
The campaign highlighted the social capital of Simunul, which included the national heritage of the Sheik Mackdum Mosque, the colorful dances and music of the Sama tribe, the food delicacies, and efforts to usher in socio-economic development in the island.
A food festival of local delicacies, participated in by 16 villages of Simunul, launching the compilation of selected verses from the Qur'an and Hadith which provide references for the imams in their sermons also highlighted the celebration.
The celebrations culminated with a community "big book" reading, said to strengthen the social cohesion through collective recollection of the history of the place and the people along with the cultural presentation on the history of arrival of Islam in the Philippines.
Development projects were also launched and presented on Friday by various donor-funded projects present in Simunul such as the ACT for Peace Program, Mindanao Rural Development Program, Growth with Equity in Mindanao and the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao.
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