Sheik Karim al Makdum Mosque found in Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi is the oldest mosque in the Philippines, declared a National Cultural Treasure and was visited by the late President Ferdinand Marcos himself in 1965 to install a historic marker on it’s wall.
The site of the Oldest Mosque in the Philippines- Masjid Sheik Makdum
Built by an Arab trader Sheik Makdum Karim himself on 1380. The original pillars of the old mosque can still be found inside the new building. According to the story, they tried to move or cut the foundation when they are renovating it but it can’t be moved or cut. The guide even pointed at the axe marks on the foundation. A photo on the wall outside displays the original Masjid (mosque) structure, square and is made of coconut-thatched roof, the four-foundations can be seen and there are lots of coconut trees behind it.
Notice the wood carving on one of the pillars.
The 4 Original Pillars of the Old Mosque
14th century Sheik Karimal Makdum Mosque
Present: Sheik Karim Al Makdum Mosque (2012)
I was able to visit the first and oldest mosque in the country when I was traveling in Tawi-Tawi during my ISANGDAAN journey. The site is sacred, historical and deserves a visit from all history-loving Filipinos. Imagine being there at the very site of where Islam started because a missionary from Arabia taught it while trading in the Philippines. I had goosebumps, can’t believe I am visiting the site I first saw on National Geographic.
Outside is an arch that proudly tells visitors of the famed heritage. I also saw some burial sites on the back of the mosque, you would notice the white cloth laid on the burial site.
I wonder how many Filipinos knew about this. I wonder if this is actually being taught in Hekasi or Elementary Philippine History. I love history before but I can’t remember this and I don’t took a lot of absences before. This brings me to the sad conclusion that our history is Manila-centric, and our Muslim heroes and Islam are mentioned only in passing.
Add to the belief of most Filipinos that Mindanao is scary, unsafe and full of terrorists. While I was in Tawi-Tawi I didn’t meet any accident, didn’t hear of any gunfire or bomb explosion. I ate breakfast with the locals in their local “kapehan” and walk downtown where everyone is smiling. You know what? I look like them but we have lots of differences- food we eat, clothes we wear, language we speak, religion we practice but we are under one nation- the Philippines, both lovers of peace and progress. I love this kind of diversity. How I pray that many would dare to visit this farthest province of the Philippines down south.
This brought me to study deeper about the history of Islam in the Philippines which brought me to some amazing facts I didn’t learn from school. Traveling is further education eh? I will mention a few learnings and hopefully publish more after more readings are done.
The Sultanate of Sulu. The Sultanate of Sulu founded in 1457, ruled much of Mindanao, Northern Borneo (we now call Sabah), the islands near it including Palawan. Do you know that until this time, Malaysia pays rent for Sabah to the Sultan of Sulu?
MINSUPALA. MinSuPala is an acronym for Mindanao, Sulu Peninsula and Palawan. So I’m guessing that during the pre-Hispanic Philippines we have Luzon, Visayas and MinSuPala regions.
This post my way of saying ‘Eid Mubarak’ to all my Muslim friends. Have a nice gathering for Salat and feasting! Salam to all the goodness you showed me whenever I travel to Mindanao.
How to get to Simunul, Tawi-Tawi:
From Bongao town, go to the Chinese Pier where you can ride the public boats going to Simunul, make sure that it goes to Tubig Indangan. Travel schedule is between 11am-12nn. Travel time is only about an hour. When you arrive in Simunul island, the mosque is just a 5-minute walk from the port. Prepare to stay in the island because the return trip is the next day which is 8:00am.
The road to the mosque coming from Simunul port. Notice the simplicity of the locals preparing woods for cooking.
Friends from Tawi-Tawi
You can also hire a boat going to Simunul which starts at Php 1,500 and up depending on how big the boat is and its seating capacity.
Don’t forget to contact the Tourism officer when in Tawi-Tawi, Ms. Salvacion Pescadera. You can email her at salve_pescadera@yahoo.com or call her at 0939-837-3221
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This visit happened during Day 76 of ISANGDAAN Journey while I was in Tawi-Tawi. It was made possible because of the generosity of Sir George for tagging me along to their trip to Panampangan White Beach thru the referral of Col. Jocson. Thank you very much sirs!
#ISANGDAAN is a personal journey and challenge to backpack around the Philippines the cheapest way possible for 100 days. The book “ISANGDAAN” will be out soon!
If you want to follow my steps, I have an interactive map- ISANGDAAN Journey map.
I like this! I want to go someday… =)
zambo-tawitawi-zambo booked!kukulitin nanaman kita about this.. 😀
good for you James.. you have friends around the area.. wish i can go there someday.. thanks for sharing this post…
doon ko lang sila nakilala… people are friendly there.
“Eid Mubarak!!!” to our Muslim brethren… thanks for sharing this piece of Philippine history…
muslim scum terrorist pukes! rot in hell ragheads!
Sa February na toh. =)
A Mindanaoan myself and still have to see this for myself 😉 I thank you for this post James and for the greater inspiration you shared to us about how Islam was introduced to the Philippines.
Kudos to you and Happy travels 🙂
pleasure is mine sir. you should go there na
have you visited the second oldest mosque in mindanao? contrary to oldest mosque, the second oldest mosque is in poor condition. maybe you can publish and urge the government to renovate the baab ur-rahman mosque in tarakan, so filpinos can visit an appreciate this one of historical mosques in mindanao.
where is that? maybe someday.. i hope this will be taken care of the soonest
pa-rate nmn ng safety, please. I actually would like to explore more of Mindanao but I’m really afraid to.You can’t blame me since often see news which would make me think twice in going there. I’ve been to Bukidnon, Davao, Camiguin, CDO and Iligan and I was really surprised because expected less of them, I was so wrong. They were VERY nice people. But I need more courage if I want to go to Tawi-tawi, Zamboanga, Dipolog and General Santos -_-
hi rain, about safety: it is more dangerous in manila. that being said, you can also read my newest 3-part series: Journey to Jolo, Sulu. that will change your erspective in mindanao
Thanks for this post. I’ve read about it and I’ve been looking for a blog entry or pic gallery that showcases the mosque but to no avail.
I would much prefer to see the mosque in its original construction. But guess most buildings built in the archipelago during the pre-Spaniard era was in wood, thus wasn’t able to weather through the centuries as well as stone churches that the Spaniards built.
“This brings me to the sad conclusion that our history is Manila-centric, and our Muslim heroes and Islam are mentioned only in passing.”
It’s the same here in Malaysia. The history we study in school is Islamic-centric, and we have few, if not none at all, mentions of other religions and their contributions to this country. The only mention of Christianity is just one very short paragraph, and the squabbles and corruptions during the reformation era. basically, nothing really positive is written about other religions other than an extensive islamic history which covers a few chapters.
so we actually have same experience as to the history of our countries. thanks Kyh for dropping by on my blog. sad to say, only the orignal post are left in the mosque.
Wow you have an awesome experience! you are so helpful for my assignment! :))Thank you so so so much! Love how you explain the HISTORY
:)) <3
glad it helped mae!
thanks for your comments james rgarding the place tawi tawi. I am a Christian but im living in tawi tawi for more than 2 years n0w and i learned to love our muslim brothers. I personally studying also islamic history and I want to interact with you if possible our learning with regards to muslim history. You can contact me at the ff:
idjiranimj@gmail.com
09152170728
. . .
hi there james, i love to browse at your blog, i am from mindanao but i haven’t traveled much in the area, i find your blog very informative and captivating….i hope someday i can contribute too, happy traveling and GOD bless!
i’m a muslim but i never thought there’s a oldest masjid in the philippine…anyway wishi can go there someday and sure i really can…thank’s for the post
I am a recent convert to Islam and doing my research/google lol. I am thankful that you went there and provide us with wonderful information. I hope I will get a chance to visit this place soon.
ALLAHU AKBAR EVERY FILIPINO MUSLIM SHOULD BE PROUD ABOUT IT AND ALSO BEFORE PHILIPPINES IS AN ISLAMIC STATE…..
Danger place for a foreigner
Isa sa mga relihiyon ang Islam ang nauna, nag dominate lang ang kristiyanismo dahil malakas ang impluwensya ng mga Espanol ayon sa aking pagbabasa ngayong araw kaya nakapunta ako sa blog mo James. Napaka interesado ang historya at kung paano nagsimula ang lahat at bakit gayon na lang kaprotekta ang mga kapatid nating mga muslim sa kanilang yaman sa kultura, relihiyon, kasaysayan at napakayaman ang Mindanao dahil pinapahalgahan nila ang Islam gaya ng Luzon at Visayas na Kristiyanismo naman. Ito ay pagpupugay lamang sa ating kasaysayan mula kay Rajah Lakandula, Lapu Lapu at Iba pang sinaunang tao sa ating bansa bago pa sinakop ng mga Espanol. Isa sa mga pangarap ko din na makarating sa Mindanao, sana makarating din ako 🙂
Can I ask when the new foundation for this mosque was created?
Jesus Christ conquers because He is The LORD.
May all Filipinos know the real History in Mindanao(and all lands) and its Truest Owner = Our Almighty Father