Philippines’ oldest mosque gets a facelift

The Sheikh Karimul Makdum mosque in Tawi-Tawi province is believed to date back to 1380

The Sheikh Karimul Makdum Mosque in Simunul town, Tawi-Tawi province, the oldest mosque in the Philippines. (Photo by Bong Sarmiento)

Published: July 06, 2017 06:05 AM GMT

Updated: July 06, 2017 06:06 AM GMT

The Philippines' oldest mosque, which was built in 1380 in Mindanao, is getting a facelift to preserve its religious and historical importance.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has allotted US$980,000 for the renovation of the structure, a nearby cultural center, and access road to the site.

The Sheikh Karimul Makdum mosque in the village of Tubig Indangan in Simunul town, of Tawi-Tawi province, has been declared a national historical landmark.

Sheik Makhdum was the first Arabian missionary to arrive in Mindanao to propagate the Islamic faith.

Filipino Muslims consider him a "guardian of Islam, educator, and political leader."

The remains of Sheikh Makhdum are believed buried next to the mosque.

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