ARMM commemorates 637th Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Day

TAWI-TAWI, Philippines — Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao led the commemoration of the 637th Sheikh Karimul Makhdum day here on November 7, 2017.

The event also marked the  28th ARMM Anniversary celebration.

It was the day when ARMM people remembers the Arab trader and missionary Sheikh Karimul Makhdum who set foot in Simunul and introduced Islam in the Philippines more than 600 years ago.

The day was in honor of Makhdum who built the  The first mosque in the country barangay Simunul. Tubig Indangan.

On  May 24, 2013, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed the Republic Act No. 10573 otherwise known as “An Act Declaring the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque as a National Historical Landmark.

The Mosque is considered as one of Philippines’s oldest existing Muslim Houses of Prayer.

The Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque was constructed in 1380 A.D. 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 fulfill its functions, the Aquino in the declaration emphasized.

There could have been no ARMM today without si Sheikh Makhdum “There coldhave been no  Muslim in the Philippines if Sheikh Makhdum did not arrived here,” says ARMM Governor Mujiv  Hataman said.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and National Security Adviser Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. were also present as guests during the event.

“My presence here carries the recognition and respect of our people for the introduction of a world religion that has spread its teachings and civilizations,” Sec. Andanar said.

Simunul Town Mayor Nazif Ahmad Abdurahman expressed his gratitude for the presence of national and regional executives during the event that recognizes the “significant contribution of Sheikh Karimul Makhdum in nation building.”

Hataman administered the oath taking of the  new set of officers of the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque Management Board.

Ayesha Dilangalen, secretary of Department of Tourism-ARMM, serves as the chairperson of the board while Engr. Maritess Maguindra, director of Bureau on Cultural Heritage, serves as the vice-chairperson.

“The Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque Management Board was created and established purposively to preserve and promote the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque as Bangsamoro’s historical landmark,” Engr. Maguindra said.

“Noong nagkaroon ng Muslim at lumaganap na ang Islam, nagkaroon din ng identity ‘yung mga Muslim dito nagkaroon ng autonomous region – kaya dapat lang na mahalin natin ang Simunul at ayusin natin ang Simunul, (When  Muslims came  and Islam spread, Muslims were given identity and autonomy was granted–We should love Sinumul and should care for,” Hataman emphasized.- EZC/Newsline.ph and  ARMM Information Bureau