Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque

Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque
Masjid Sheikh Karimul Makhdum
Religion
AffiliationIslam Sunni Sufism
Year consecrated1380
Location
LocationSimunul, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines
Geographic coordinates4°53′53″N 119°50′57″E / 4.8980533°N 119.84924509999996°E / 4.8980533; 119.84924509999996
Architecture
TypeIslamic
Completed1960s (current building)
National Historical Landmarks
Official name: Sheik Karimol-Makhdum Mosque
DesignatedAugust 13, 1998

The Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque is located in Barangay Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, the Philippines.[1] It is the oldest mosque in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.[2]

History

Historical marker installed in 2009

According to local folklore, it was built by a Syrian Arab trader and Sunni Sufi scholar named Sheikh Karimul Makhdum in 1380. It was first thought that the pillars of the old mosque found within the current mosque are the pillars of the original allegedly built in 1380.[3]

However, studies from the National Museum of the Philippines have confirmed that the pillars found within the present mosque dates back to the 17th century.[4] The four pillars are regarded as sacred and have high status in Philippine culture as they are at least 400 years old and are the oldest known Islamic artifacts in the entire Philippines.[5]

The current mosque building was constructed in the 1960s, after most of the prior structure was burned down in 1941 during the Japanese occupation of World War II.[6]

Cultural status

Historical marker stating that the mosque was declared as a National Historical Landmark

The mosque has been declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission[7][8] and a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (formerly the NHC) unveiled a historical marker at the mosque in November 7, 2023.[9][10][11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Madale, Nagasura (October 6, 2003). "A Look at Philippine Mosques". National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  2. ^ Kolig, Erich; Angeles, Vivienne S. M.; Wong, Sam (2009). Identity in Crossroad Civilisations: Ethnicity, Nationalism and Globalism in Asia. Amsterdam University Press. ISBN 978-90-8964-127-4.
  3. ^ "What's in Simunol Island, Tawi-Tawi?". May 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "What's in Simunol Island, Tawi-Tawi?". May 9, 2018.
  5. ^ MINDANAW: Oldest mosque needs repair
  6. ^ Aben, Ellie (August 11, 2023). "Oldest Philippine mosque stands witness to centuries of Islamic heritage". Arab News. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "Resolution No. 4, s. 1998 Declaring the Sheik Karimol Makhdum Mosque in Tubig-Indangan, Simunul, Taw-Tawi, as a National Historical Landmark" (PDF). National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  8. ^ "Resolution No. 4, s. 1998 Declaring the Sheik Karimol Makhdum Mosque in Tubig-Indangan, Simunul, Taw-Tawi, as a National Historical Landmark". National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  9. ^ Aripin, Laila (November 9, 2023). "BARMM commemorates 643rd Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Day". NDBC News. Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation. Bangsamoro Information Office. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  10. ^ Unson, John (November 8, 2023). "Tawi-Tawi's Sheik Karimul Makhdum Mosque marker unveiled". The Philippines Star. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  11. ^ "NHCP unveils Tawi-Tawi mosque historical marker". The Manila Times. November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
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