ARMM commemorates arrival of Islam in Mindanao

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=937626
• Monday, November 7, 2016

(PNA), JMC/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY, Nov 7 (PNA) -- Leaders of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Islam believers in five provinces on Monday commemorate the 636th anniversary of the arrival in Mindanao of Sheik Karimul Makdum who introduced Islam in the island.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman had earlier declared Nov. 7 a non-working holiday in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to give residents ample time to observe the yearly Sheik Karimul Makdum Day.

It will also signal the start of the week-long commemoration of the ARMM’s 27th founding anniversary.

More than 90 percent of residents ARMM provinces are Muslims with different ethnic identities.

A Middle Eastern cleric, Makdum arrived in Bohe Indangan in Simunul, now an island town in Tawi-Tawi, in 14th Century to preach and spread Islam.

In the island, Makdum built a Mosque, now the oldest Islamic worship site in the Philippines. From there, Islam was brought to other parts of the island and eventually across the country.

Ayesha Mangudadatu-Dilangalen, ARMM’s regional tourism secretary, will lead today the Sheik Karimul Makdum Day program in Simunul that includes reenactment of the missionary's arrival in the island.

Accompanying Dilangalen are Tawi-Tawi Gov. Rashidin Matba, Rep. Ruby Sahali, officials of the ARMM’s Bureau of Cultural Heritage and Simunul Mayor Nazif Ahmad Abdurahman.

Dilangalen said her office have lined up various cultural activities to highlight the 27th anniversary feast of the autonomous region.