Saturday, July 3, 2021

To the Pink Mosque in Maguindanao

I was living in General Santos City for almost three years, and I should say that it became my basecamp of my different escapades in Mindanao. Honestly, I never expected to be traveling that much but because of my work schedule, I was able to squeeze in my travel itineraries. Last 2019, I had the chance to travel to 14 different provinces in the Philippines starting from Batanes until South Cotabato. My stay in Mindanao was next to my 1-month globetrotting and living as a nomad in the Malaysia-Indonesia-Bruneian peninsula. 

The Quest of the Pink Mosque
I have heard about the Pink Mosque in Mindanao when I was still living in Cebu City, and eventually, I promised my self that it would be one of my top destinations when I'd be in Mindanao. True enough, I began searching and asking for information on how to get there, and of course, not as a tourist but a local visiting in different mosques. 
"Love at first sight..."

So, my dream to visit the Pink Mosque became a reality when my of my students offered the group to bring us there. Undeniably, I was the happiest person in the world when we were on our way to Maguindanao from General Santos City. 

It took us around 2 hours to travel from General Santos City to Sultan Kudarat where we were met by my student who offered us his ride. Kelvin, a resident from Sultan Kudarat, was one of my IELTS students who was very kind to tour us around not only in Maguindanao but also in Sultan Kudarat. 

Side Trip to Sultan Kudarat
My first trip in Sultan Kudarat was an afternoon getaway when our class became bored. Since Kelvin offered his car as our service, we immediately took a ride and simply wander in Sultan Kudarat, took some time to visit their milk tea shop, and even had a chance to drop by in their municipal hall and in Sultan Kudarat Park. 
"The UK Dreamers group..."

It was a broad daylight when we visited Sultan Kudarat only to take some photos of the Municipal Hall where the famous statue of the sultan is situated. After, we headed straight to the Pink Mosque as part of our destination. 

Awed by its Pink Mosque
The grandest mosque that I have seen so far was located in Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, the Masjid Hassanal Bolkiah, when I had the chance to stay in there for almost a week. 
"Took this photo years back, - Masjid Hassanal Bolkiah in Brunei"
"Had this taken after doing an FB Live!"
In the Philippines, I was amazed by the Masjid Dimaukom or the Pink Mosque in Maguindanao. I never expected that I had the chance to step on its soil, and to take a picture as close as possible. Being awed was an understatement, I became emotional because I love the Muslim culture, and Islam is such a beautiful religion. I respect the religion as much as I respect the people.

Honestly, I can't wait to be back in Mindanao and as soon as my contract is over in Cebu, Mindanao will be my next destination. 

5 comments:

  1. Been seeing this on social media, I would like to visit this place also! Thanks for sharing your experience and other travels!

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  2. Before this C3 challenge, I couldn't imagine Filipinas more adventurous than me. Now that I've read a lot of the blogs here, I realized there are a lot of women like you who are "fearless." May you be able to visit more interesting places.

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  3. I've seen quite a few mosque in my life but this one is for the books. A pink mosque? How exquisite and avante-garde. I love it! <3

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  4. Is there any significance in the color Pink for their religion/culture? Such a wonder on how they picked that color for their Mosque.

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  5. I saw this several times in social media and still in awe of their color choice. You will really see the diversity of their religion and culture.

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