Islam in the Philippines

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Islam in the Philippines - Islam is the oldest recorded religion of monotheism in the Philippines. Islam reached the Philippines between 14th & 12th centuries with the arrival of Muslim traders from the Persian Gulf and the Malabar Coast in South India, and their followers from several sultanate governments in the Malay Archipelago.

According to the Pew Research Center, the 2000 census of the Philippines found that 5.1% of the country's population is Muslim.

In 1380 Karim ul 'Makhdum the first Arab Muslim missionary reached the Sulu & Jolo Islands in the Philippines & established Islam in the country. In 1390 the Minangkabau Prince Raja Baguinda & his followers taught Islam in the islands.

The Sheik Karimal Makdum Masjid Adl mosque was first built in the Philippines at Simunul in Mindanao in the 14th century. Subsequent villages by Arab missionaries traveling to Malaysia & Indonesia helped strengthen Islam in the Philippines & their respective settlements were ruled by a Datu, Raja & Sultan.

Islamic territories established in the Philippines include the Sultanate of Maguindanao, the Sultanate of Sulu & other parts of the Southern Philippines.

Moro (similar to 'Moor') is a heritage term from Spain, for Filipino Muslims & tribal groups. The Moros sought to establish an Islamic territory in Mindanao & Visayas. The term Bangsamoro combination of Old Malay - Spanish word Moro inherited from al-Andalus in Spain.

A significant number of Moro uprisings took place during the Philippine-American War of 1899. Disputes & rebellions continued to take place in the Philippines from pre-colonial times & right up to the present.

Islam has seen significant growth in the Philippines since the end of World War II. Filipino Muslim communities have built new mosques & religious schools in the 21st century, & pilgrimage is on the rise.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is a province of the Philippines comprising all the Muslim-majority provinces of the Philippines, namely: Basilan (except Isabela City), Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu & Tawi-Tawi, & the Islamic City of Marawi.

This is the only region that has its kingdom. The regional capital is Cotabato City, although the city is outside its jurisdiction.