Sheikh Ahmad Bashir

Ahmad bin Haji Bashir Mohammed Shafi (Arabic: الشيخ أحمد بن حاجي بشير محمد الشافي‎ Arabic pronunciation; January 1, 1919 – July 10, 1989) was a Filipino Muslim Ālim and Islamic scholar,[1] leader,[2] and teacher[3] former president and founder of the Agama Islam Society.[4][5] He was born on 1 January 1919, in Miondas,[6] Tamparan, Lanao del Sur, Philippines.[7]

Ahmad Bashir
Sheikh Ahmad Bashir, 1988
Born(1919-01-01)1 January 1919
Miondas, Tamparan, Lanao del Sur, Philippine Islands
Died10 July 1989(1989-07-10) (aged 70)
Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
Resting placeGrounds of the Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
CitizenshipFilipino
Spouse(s)
  • Hadja Zinab (19??–19??)
  • Hadja Aminah (19??–1994)

Personal life

Ahmad was married to Hadja Zainab, with whom he had four sons: Monib, Said, Salahudden, Samra and a daughter: Sairah; and concurrently also to Hadja Aminah, with whom he had a son: Mahdi and three daughters: Samiah, Saminah, Sarah. The two families happily lived in two adjacent houses separately as polygamy practice is allowed in Islam.

Education

Early childhood

Ahmad received his first non-formal education from his father, and then studied at the School of Islam complete primary school in the city of Marawi.[7]

Education in Mecca

In 1951, Ahmad Bashir traveled to the Hejaz to continue his education in Mecca. He joined the Al-Falah School in Makkah, a religious science school till he completed his studies in the year 1953, and later joined the Al-Soltiyyah School in the Grand Mosque also in Makkah. He was awarded a degree in Islamic Sciences, which was considered at that time the highest religious education at the Mosque.[7]

Missionary work

Ahmad Bashir went back to the Philippines after completing his studies. At first, he taught at an Islamic School in Marawi City. He helped created some of the schools in various communities with complete and organized conjunctions with some of his peers, colleagues throughout the years till 1955.[7]

In 1956, Ahmad Bashir and companions founded the Agama Islam Society,[8] after the establishment of the Shoura Council. The Society founded Islamic schools, ultimately having 363 branches in all regions of the Philippines,[9] visited by more than 5,000 students in the academic year 1986-1987.[7]

Distinguished achievements and activities
Sheikh Ahmad (Third from left) met His Excellency President Ferdinand E. Marcos at Malacañang Palace during the ratification of Proclamation No. 2223, the exclusion of around 10 hectares of land from military reservation for the benefits of the Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao.

In 1972, the Agama Islam Society transferred Ma’had Mindanao Al-Arabie Al-Islamie to Darussalam, Matampay, Marawi City, as the main campus through the assistance of Sheikh Esmail Laut Sarip and former Lanao del Sur Governor, Sultan sa Masiu, Hon. Mohammad Ali Dimaporo[9][10] for the exclusion of this land from military reservation pursuant to Proclamation No. 2223 signed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

As president of the Agama Islam Islam, Ahmad had been associated in various Islamic Associations in the Philippines, and also played a role in their creation. He was president of the National Union of Arab-Islamic Schools in the Philippines. President of the Local Council of Mosques in the Philippines. He attended international conferences with a theme in Islamic mission including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Malaysia, Pakistan, Qatar, Indonesia, Tunisia, Egypt & Others (from 1381 to 1406 Hijri).

He wrote thirteen books, including Islamic, Arab, and Muslim history in the Philippines.[11][12] His collection of Qur’an and Islamic Manuscripts[13][14][15] has been cited multiple times around the world. The establishment of now-defunct Saudi and Philippines Publishing Center in 1980, Parañaque, Metro Manila, financed by King Khalid ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud.[16] The establishment of the Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao in 1987. The completion of Maranao translation of the Quran (Islamic holy book) was reviewed by a committee of Maranao Scholars headed by Ahmad Bashir.[4][17]

Left to right: Former Senator Domocao Alonto, Sheikh Ahmad, and former ARMM Governor Lininding Pangandaman representing Muslims in the Philippines to one of the Muslim World League conferences in 1982, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Ahmad had closely worked both with NGO and government various organizations, agencies, leaders, such as former senator Domocao Alonto and former Philippines Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Lininding Pangandaman[18] for the welfare of the Maranaos.

Agama Islam Society

The basis of the creation of the society was through consultative council, which some academician were from Marawi City, the Philippines under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmad Bashir year 1375H – 1955G.[9] This Council established the society to propagate Islam in 1956.

Death

Ahmad did not use his opportunities for his personal advantage, and died poor, without owning or bequeathing any property.

He died in Iligan City from complications of diabetes on the 7th day of Dhul Hijjah 1409 AH (July 10, 1989). His remains were buried in Marawi City, Philippines.[7]

Notes and references
  1. Abdulrahman, Yousef (2012-05-18). Archipelago (Moro ...) Fire under the ashes(in Arabic) Alanba.Com, retrieved December 05, 2019
  2. ". حدث: شعب "مورو" يتحرر! - بقلم : يوسف عبدالرحمن". Abdel Rahman, Y. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2020.(in Arabic)
  3. "Muslim Separatism: The Moros of Southern Philippines and the Malays of Southern Thailand. By W. K. Che Man". Scupin, R. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  4. Developer section. Resource files--Maranao Archived 2011-05-18 at the Wayback Machine. Al-quran.Info, retrieved October 17, 2010
  5. "The Islamic Epistemology and its Implications for Education of Muslims in the Philippines". Lantong, A. M. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  6. Tamparan, Lanao del Sur. (2005-12-10). Barangay. Wikipedia, retrieved October 17, 2010
  7. Visit to the University of Muslim Mindanao Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine(in Arabic) Al-rawdah.Net, retrieved October 17, 2010
  8. Tago, Abdul Hannan F. (2006-06-13). Philippines’ First Islamic University Celebrates 50th Anniversary Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine. Arabnews.Com, retrieved October 17, 2010
  9. Admin. History Archived 2012-03-13 at the Wayback Machine. The JMM Website, retrieved October 17, 2010
  10. Admin. Sultan Ali Dimaporo Archived 2011-08-11 at the Wayback Machine. Ontay & Marogong Blog retrieved November 30, 2011
  11. Sanah, Ahmad N, (2010-10-05). How Islam entered the Philippines Archived 2018-09-25 at the Wayback Machine(in Arabic). Alukah.Com, retrieved December 5, 2019
  12. Introduction of Islam in the Philippines(in Arabic) Al-rawdah.net, retrieved December 5, 2019
  13. "Southeast Asian Kitabs and Beyond: Islam in the Philippines in Perspective". Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  14. "The Qur'an and Islamic Manuscripts of Mindanao". Abdullah, T. E., Gallop, A. T., Kawashima, M., Nurtawab, E., & Riwarung, L. Retrieved 18 August 2020.(in Japanese)
  15. "Sources pour l'histoire de l'islamisation du sud des Philippines". Clavé, E. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 18 August 2020.(in French)
  16. King Khalid ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud (1913-1982) Archived 2010-12-01 at the Wayback Machine. The Saudi Network Website, retrieved October 18, 2010.
  17. Esmail S. Abdulrahman (2007-02-04). Qur’an in Maranao Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine. Arabnews.Com, retrieved October 19, 2010
  18. "Former ARMM Gov Pangandaman dies". Rappler.com. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
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