By Marjorie Engcoy
JPIC-Mindanao Animator
On May 8-13, 2024, members of the Interfaith Forum for Peace, Harmony, and Solidarity of Cagayan de Oro City embarked on a weeklong pilgrimage to the oldest mosque structure, which was erected in Simunol, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, in 1380. A total of 22 pilgrims participated in the journey of appreciating a part of the country’s history. The pilgrimage was organized hoping that the pilgrims develop a deep appreciation and understanding of Islam and the presence of our Muslim sisters and brothers.
The group left the City of Golden Friendship at half past four in the morning of May 8th. The convoy made its first stop in Pagadian City to meet and share breakfast with the members of the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace. Before breakfast, a short but meaningful exchange of updates and well-wishes was shared by conveners of both interfaith forums. It was hoped that this meet-up would rekindle friendships and strengthen networks, reinforcing the ongoing campaign for peace, harmony, and solidarity between Christians and Muslims here in Mindanao.
After the simple fellowship, we continued on our journey to our second stop, the Diocese of Ipil, to meet the members of the interfaith forum there. The interfaith members of Ipil were excited to meet us just as we were, to listen to their interfaith stories and challenges. After sharing lunch, we drove to Harmony Village, Zamboanga City, our last stop for the day, to rest after our long journey.
The following day, while the Catholic members of the pilgrimage attended Mass to celebrate Fr. Seb D’Ambra’s birthday, our fellow pilgrims from the UCCP went to their church, and those from the Islam faith visited the nearby Rainbow Mosque. We later reconvened for a short program dedicated to Fr. Seb. Students and scholars were also there to grace the occasion and shared their memorable stories of the Silsilah Movement founder.
A few minutes after lunch, we were on our way to board the plane for Tawi-Tawi, the final destination of our pilgrimage. The province, located at the southernmost tip of the Philippine Archipelago, is only 428 kilometers away from Malaysia. Upon landing, the simple island lifestyle is very noticeable. I thought I was transported back to the early 90s. While on our way to the Holy Rosary Parish, the big white mosque looked stunning as if saying, “Welcome to Tawi-Tawi”.
The following day, everyone was excited to go to Simunol Island to finally see with our own eyes the oldest mosque structure in the Philippines. The boat ride to Simunol took a little over an hour. We were received by a massive welcome archway of the island village which was culturally decorated. To visit the mosque, we changed into abayas and were ushered by a designated tour guide. The tour guide began by sharing the interesting history of the structure we were about to see, starting from the Islam missionary Sheik Karimul Makhdum and the various architectural transformations the site has gone through over the years. Today, only the four main pillars of the 13th-century mosque remain, now standing within the larger mosque. We also had the chance to visit the tomb of Sheik Karimul Makhdum just beside the mosque. Pilgrims from different parts of the world have also come to visit his grave.
In the afternoon, we walked up to the Tawi-Tawi’s famous landscape of Bud Bongao. To reach the top, one must climb more than 3,600 steps. It was a personal challenge. I knew I wasn’t in the best condition to climb that rocky mountain – my foot injury was less than a year old. But I was encouraged by the thought of seeing the tallest Mulawin tree (aka Molave) at the top, and by the wisdom of ‘one step at a time’. With a steady and relaxed pace, I made it to the top, just in time to witness a very beautiful sunset. I stayed there for a while reflecting on the pilgrimage I just participated. I made new connections, visited historical places, experienced another Philippine culture, and gained a deeper appreciation of the Southern Philippine culture. I saw it all with my own eyes and heard local stories that brought it all to life. As a pilgrim, it renewed my hope for peace, harmony, and solidarity to flourish here in Mindanao. There is so much peace in the hearts of the Filipinos here in the ‘land of promise’. It is my prayer that this be given the chance to grow and bear fruits.
We flew back to Zamboanga City the following day, May 11th. Back in Zamboanga, we indulged in the local food and soaked in the hustling and bustling city life. The people in this part of the country speaks Chavacano, a relatively Spanish-sounding dialect. It felt as though I was in another country, and it reminded me of my own overseas cross-cultural mission experience.
On May 12th, we decided to visit the members of the Silsilah Movement in Basilan. A striking montage caught my attention: the remains of a jeep that symbolized the Catechists from Tumahubong Sumisip, who were ambushed and killed on February 14, 1999. It also represents the resilience of the people of Basilan where peace remains a virtue and value. Unfortunately, the peacebuilding movement had temporarily ceased to exist because it was being used for political agenda. A brief but sincere conversation with the Bishop of Basilan sparked hope to re-establish the peace movement again in Basilan. It was also inspiring to listen to Sr. Susan Bolanio, OND, and her stories making a difference in the lives of the people they serve in Basilan— through social justice, peace, ecology, and indigenous peoples, etc. Even though peace in the island province has been fickle, haunted by fear almost all the time and marked by its gruesome past, it is encouraging to know and meet people with brave hearts to journey with the people there. I had doubts about setting foot in Basilan, but encouraged by the Holy Spirit and by faith, I went. My childhood memories of the province were filled with stories about kidnappings, beheadings, bombings, wars, and unrest. But after that short visit, I left the island province with a prayer that the peace they are enjoying right now may endure as long as it should.
May 13th, Monday, we set out on the road once more – this time, to journey back home to the City of Golden Friendship.
This was taken inside the People’s Mosque in Tawi-Tawi, one of the stops during the Pilgrimage to Simunol, the oldest mosque structure built in the Philippine Archipelago.
Memorial for Peace in Isabela-Basilan, Mindanao
