FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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First Regular Session 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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SENATE 
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S.B.No. 912 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
The introduction of Islamic faith in the Philippines has immensely 
contributed to the enrichment, vibrance and diversity of our unique culture 
and civilization. 
The Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque at Tubig Indangan, Simunul, 
Tawi-Tawi was constructed by an Arabian Missionary in 1380 A.D. Sometime 
in 1965, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos and First Lady Imelda 
Marcos went to the site to install a historic marker giving it recognition as 
the first mosque in the Philippines. 
The Regional Government of the Autonomous Region of Muslim 
Mindanao, through its Legislative Assembly, has already passed a regional 
law declaring the inclusion of the Sheikh Makhdum centennial celebration as 
one of the Islamic events entitled to a special non-working holiday within the 
ARMM. 
This bill seeks to declare the Sheikh Karimadul Mosque as national 
shrine. This will give the necessary recognition to the contribution of IsIam in 
the development of culture and civilization in our country. 
This proposed measure will also be a sign to our brother Moslems in 
Mindanao, that they are being accorded due and equal recognition by the 
national government. 
For the above-mentioned reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
rn /A 
EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT DECLARING THE SHEIKH KARIMUL MAKHDUM 
MOSQUE, CONSIDERED AS THE FIRST AND OLDEST MUSLIM 
HOUSE OF PRAYER OR MOSQUE IN THE PHILIPPINES, 
CONSTRUCTED IN 1380 A.D. AT TUBIG, INDANGAN, SIMUNUL, 
PROVINCE OF TAW-TAW, AS A NATIONAL SHRINE, AND FOR 
OTHERPURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Statement of Policy. - It is hereby declared to be the 
policy of the State to preserve historical sites, monuments and other relics, 
which represent our indigenous Filipino cultural of the nation and shall be 
under the protection of the State, heritage and treasure. 
SECTION 2. Declaration as National Shrine. - Consistent with 
the Constitutional mandate to conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s 
historical and cultural heritage, the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque 
located at Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Province of Tawi-Tawi, which was 
constructed in 1380 A.D. and considered as the first and oldest Muslim House 
of Prayer of Mosque in the Philippines is hereby declared a national shrine to 
underscore the immense contribution of Islamic faith to the enrichment, 
vibrance and diversity of our culture and civilization. 
SECTION 3. Power of the NHI to Issue Rules. For this purpose, the 
National Historical Institute (NHI) shall exercise supervision over the 
preservation of the aforesaid site and shall issue the necessary rules and 
regulations to effectuate the preceding sections of this Act. 
SECTION 4. Appropriation. The necessary funding for the purposes 
of this Act, shall be provided for in the annual appropriations for the NHI, 
which shall, henceforth issue the appropriate disbursements. 
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from private sources. 
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SECTION 5. Fund-raising Program. In order to afford the people 
an opportunity to participate in financing the preservation, reconstruction 
and/or rehabilitation of the shrine, the NHI is hereby authorized to organize 
and undertake a national fund campaign for the purpose of raising funds 
SECTION 6. Effectiuity. This Act shall take effect upon approval. 
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Approved, 
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