AhlulBayt News Agency: In a move that officially recognizes the religious identity of Muslims in the Philippines, the House of Representatives, one of the country’s most important legislative bodies, has acquired a permanent prayer room.
It marks a significant shift in the institutional recognition of the religious identity of Muslims in the Philippines.
The House of Representatives building in the country’s capital, Manila, recently witnessed the inauguration of the first permanent prayer room dedicated to Muslims.
According to officials, the purpose was to support the practice of worship in one of the country’s most important legislative bodies.
The prayer room, located on the north side of the building, was inaugurated at the initiative of the chairman of the House Committee on Islamic Affairs and under the supervision of the Speaker as part of the institution’s efforts to promote an environment that respects religious diversity and meets the needs of Muslim employees and visitors.
The opening program of the prayer hall included the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Professor Hassanal Aguel, while Abdulhakim Lomondot, representative of the National Commission for Muslims of the Philippines, moderated the event.
Official speeches were also delivered emphasizing the importance of the initiative, including those by Mary Ann Arcega-De, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Dato’ Ahmad Tukao Ong-Mastura, governor of the northern province of Maguindanao, who stressed the importance of protecting religious rights and promoting an environment of respect and coexistence.
The event concluded with a speech by Dada Ismail, a Muslim member of the Philippine House of Representatives, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by a number of officials, including the deputy executive director of the National Commission for Muslims of the Philippines and the regional commission director, along with representatives of Islamic cultural institutions in the country.
According to experts, this step has important implications that go beyond the symbolic dimension, as it demonstrates the commitment of the Philippine government to support the religious well-being of Muslims and promote their full integration into government institutions, especially given the growing role of the Muslim community in social life, particularly in southern regions such as Mindanao and the Bangsamoro region.
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