SULU FIRST MOSQUE: A GREAT HISTORICAL TOURISTS SPOT

Neldy Jolo
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It has been many weeks ago I wasn’t able to tell something about Sulu wonders. I wasn’t having a great time to guide you for the past few weeks. Please accept my apology. When I browse the photo album I spotted the picture of the first Mosque in Sulu, so I prepare to guide you to visit here. I remember when we visited this mosque in 2003. It was a privilege to have visited the mosque and shrine.

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Remaining old Pillars inside the Mosque and the Mosque at http://colloidfarl.blogspot.com

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Surely the tourists will have a great time to see the enchanting beauty of this place. The original old mosque structure is within the new built mosque that is seen today. There are four remaining old pillars inside. The most interesting here, it was said that measurement of the square length of the mosque was based from the two hands of the Sheikh. The Sheikh did he was just stretching out his hands to measure its length wide.

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The burial ground of Sheikh Muslim Missionary lies just beside this mosque. Other tomb of Sheik Al-Makhdum is in the Island of Sibutu beside of also one of the oldest mosques in Sulu. One friend from Bongao had it to say according to his research that there is even early mosque that was built here in 1315. 65 years before the mosque in Tubig Indangan was built. This is the oldest Islamic landmark as a national shrine in recognition to the contribution of Islam in the development of culture and civilization in the country, Sulu and Southeast Asia.

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It was believed that at the height of Muslim defense against American colonial government, Muslim leaders met with General Leonard Wood at the mosque wherein historical talks and agreements were forged. Gen. Leonard Wood was the one who order to "Kill or Capture the Six Hundred" Sulus in Bud Dahu, Sulu.

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The mosque is located in the town of Tubig Indangan, Island of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu Archipelago. The island is the home of the Sama ethnic of Sulu. The Sama ethnic are lovely and peaceful people. This island is also known as the den of beautiful charming dames or ladies. Their beauties are blending of Sama ethnic Sulu and Arabs.

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Tubig Indangan, Simunul is about 30 minutes trip from Bongao City by wooden boat. There are many available boats in the port area for private hire -that is for an affordable charge. It is near the Bongao Central Market. The regular trip to the Simunul Island is once a day only. Tourists could reach this island via Malaysia and the Philippines. Please see the oldest post of the way to arrive Sulu.

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The mosque was name Sheikh Karim Al-Makhdum, in honor to the Muslim Missionary master when this was built in 1380. Al-Makhdum is a group Muslim missionary that was landed to Sulu and being called Makhdumin – the group of blessed Muslim Masters.