A new madrasah was inaugurated on May 31 in Matanog, a site known locally as “ground zero” due to a deadly flash flood last July that killed five people and its history as a key battleground during the 2000 “all-out war.” The madrasah symbolizes both the devastation the community has endured and its determination to rebuild.
Matanog Mayor Zohria “Jo” Bansil-Guro described the center as a product of genuine cooperation among the local government, the Army’s 54th Engineering Brigade, the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY Philippines), and other partners. She said the madrasah proves that peace is more than an ideal—it is a shared effort born from love.
Sultan Carim Rascal, a community leader and former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) official, emphasized the importance of education. He said that without learning Arabic, English, and the Quran, children risk losing their way. He expressed hope that the madrasah would unite knowledge and faith.
Vice Mayor Sanaira Ibay Ali-Imam praised the rapid completion of the project, which was finished in just one month. She said, “In this world, the most beautiful place is where a madrasah or masjid is built.”
Brig. Gen. Edwin Fernandez, commander of the 54th Engineering Brigade, stressed the key role education plays in lasting peace. He said, “The key to growth and peace is education. It is better to dedicate our lives to educating our people for peace and progress.”
Sheikh Albani Pagayawan of WAMY Philippines thanked the donors, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, highlighting the strengthening ties between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia through humanitarian work.
The provincial government of Maguindanao del Norte and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) also contributed, with Governor Sharifudin Mastura’s office donating ceiling fans for the madrasah.
A madrasah is an Islamic school focused on teaching religious studies such as the Quran, Hadith, and Islamic law. It serves as a foundation for Islamic education, from basic to advanced levels.
Meanwhile, construction of another madrasah in Matanog’s town proper has begun. This new facility will provide more space for female students. The 54th Engineering Brigade is tasked with this project as well.
