One with the Bangsamoro, a team from the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), the Housing Arm of the BARMM, led by Deputy Minister Aldin H. Asiri, joined the commemoration of the 643rd Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Anniversary held in Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi on November 7, 2023.

Deputy Minister Asiri said the distinguished event is not just significant to history of the Muslims in the BARMM but can also be considered a historical development of the whole country.

Sheikh Karimul Makhdum brought Islam in the Philippines in 1380 and he established a mosque in Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi that has become the oldest mosque in the Philippines.

The mosque was declared National Historical Landmark by virtue of the Borad Resolution No. 4 on August 13, 1998 by the National Historical Institute, now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) enacted under Republic Act 10573 on May 24, 2013.  

Highlighting the celebration was the unveiling of the Historical Marker led by Hon. Sec. Amenah F. Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management with Hon. Vice Governor Al-Syed A. Sali of the Province of Tawi-Tawi and, Chairman Dr. Emmanuel F. Calairo of the NHCP, Minister Abu Amri Taddik of the Ministry of Trade Investment and Tourism (MTIT) -BARMM, and Hon. Mayor Wasilah T. Abdurahman of Simunul.

In her keynote Speech, Sec. Pangandaman said the historic day is remarkable as it coincides with the signing of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of an Administrative Order constituting a steering committee for the commemoration of the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage.