The Masjid Sheikh Karimul Makhdum in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, is recognized as the oldest mosque in the Philippines, signifying the birth of Islam in the country.
Local folklore suggests that the mosque was initially built in 1380 by Sheikh Karimul Makhdum, a Syrian Arab trader and Sunni Sufi scholar credited with bringing Islam to the Philippines, occurring over 140 years prior to the arrival of the Spanish expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
This makes the masjid not only the first mosque in the country but also one of the earliest Islamic institutions in Southeast Asia, a landmark that holds great historical significance in the lives of Filipino Muslims.
It is believed that the mosque originally followed the indigenous Moro pagoda architectural style, though much of the original building was lost over time, especially during World War II in 1941 when the mosque was destroyed by fire.
The current mosque, reconstructed in the 1960s, features an Arabic onion-dome style and retains four ancient wooden pillars from the 17th-century structure, which are the oldest known Islamic artifacts in the Philippines. These pillars are highly revered, and local beliefs suggest that touching them bestow blessings, while harming them could lead to misfortune for Simunul.
In 1998, the mosque was officially recognized as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines, and on May 24, 2013, it was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission. This acknowledgment highlights the deep historical significance of Islam in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
The preservation of the mosque and its sacred pillars showcases the lasting Islamic heritage of the Philippines and emphasizes the country’s historical connections to early Muslim traders and missionaries in Southeast Asia.
Although the current mosque does not follow the traditional Moro pagoda style, it maintains its religious artifacts and heritage through the sacred pillars, detailed wood carvings, and ceremonial importance. Both scholars and local community members have called for a restoration that includes elements of the original Moro pagoda architecture.
The mosque reflects the deep roots of Islam in the Philippines, predating Spanish colonization by approximately 150 years, and today serves as both a place of worship and a representation of the Islamic cultural legacy of the Philippines.
Visitors to the mosque can learn about early Islamic history in Southeast Asia and engage with the spiritual and cultural practices of the Muslim community in Tawi-Tawi. Generally, visitors are allowed to touch the ancient pillars inside the mosque, but taking pieces is no longer permitted. It is important to respect local customs and religious practices when visiting this significant historical site.
Every year on November 7th, a special working holiday is celebrated in the Philippines (Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Day), In honor of his great contribution to the founding of the mosque and the introduction of Islam to the country.