Marcos declares November 7 yearly as Sheikh Karim'ul Makhdum Day
President Marcos has declared November 7 of each year as a special national working holiday to commemorate the establishment of the country’s first mosque and the introduction of Islam in the Philippines.
Members of the Muslim community gather to commemorate Ei'd Al-Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice at the Payatas White Mosque in Quezon City on June 28, 2023.
(MANILA BULLETIN/Enrique Bejar)
Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12228 on July 9, 2025, which designated November 7 as Sheikh Karim’ul Makhdum Day.
According to Marcos, the declaration is in recognition of the vital contributions of Muslim Filipinos in the development of the country's culture and civilization.
The first Philippine mosque was erected in Tawi-Tawi, following the arrival of Shariff Karim'ul Makhdum, an Arab missionary who played a crucial role in propagating Islam in the region.
“It is the policy of the State to instill inclusivity to all regardless of religious beliefs, in line with the constitutional right to freely exercise and enjoy their religion,” Section 2 of RA 12228 read.
"Moreover, it is the State's policy to provide due recognition to the indispensable contributions of Muslim Filipinos in the development of Philippine culture and civilization," it added