It was our second day in Cotabato City, we decided to leave the hotel early to avoid too much humidity. Our first stop? The Golden Mosque of Cotabato City.
The Golden Mosque in Cotabato City
Traveling to and from the Golden Mosque is a bit exciting. We rode an Awang bound jeepney from the town to Sinsuat Avenue in Barangay Kalangan (near the Husky Terminal) then had a habal-habal ride to the Grand Mosque. Im still not used to riding a habal-habal but thanks to the paved road and scenic villages, it helped me forget how scary the habal-habal ride was.
A Mosque surrounded by the River and the Sea
Habal-habal or motorcycle is the only way to get there. I paid Php. 70 roundtrip and it’s worthwhile to ask your driver to stay until you’re finished with your visit and photo shoot. There’s not much else out there and there are certainly no buses to take you back to the city.
A perfect place to worship
Passing by several villages with houses that are usually built in wetlands, I noticed that whenever we passby a group of people all they do is smile which made me feel I am welcome in their community. That was that simple but was truly awesome…. It’s really more fun in the Philippines.
Biggest Mosque in the Philippines
Upon reaching the place, a friendly soldier who provides security to the place welcomed us and requested us to sign their logbook. The Ilocano solider informed us that we can roam around the Mosque and take photos freely. I was really amazed and I cant believe that Im still in the Philippines while exploring the Golden Mosque.
Cotabato City Grand Mosque
The Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid, Grand Mosque or Golden Mosque of Cotabato City is the largest mosque in the Phillipines and is considered an Islamic architecture masterpiece. The grand opening was held in December of 2011 and since then it has become one of the most commonly visited tourist attractions in the city.
Perfectly Painted Walls
This multi-million project which believed to cost more than Php200 million was built in a land donated by the Dilangalen Clan. The construction of the mosque lasted for almost 3 years and they are now in the process of finishing other details.
The Dome
Anyone who flies in and out of Cotabato City is sure to see the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid from the air; it’s golden yellow domes and white structures stand out among the green surroundings.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid
Once you arrive in Cotabato City your options are limited. Luckily, the one option you have is inexpensive. It’s about seven and a half kilometers out to the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid, which is out near Moro Gulf and alongside the Tamontaka River.
Melo Villareal in Cotabato City
Even though this is a very modern Masjid, the design is tasteful and balanced. If you have any interest in seeing significant places of Muslim worship, you should not miss the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid. The vast buildings and courtyard open up to greet you and allow for contemplation as well as stunning photography.
The golden domes against the blue Philippine sky are dramatic and eye-catching. 800 male and 400 female worshippers can be accommodated and the minarets are 141 feet tall.
Travel to Cotabato City itself is considered off the beaten track for people who are visiting the Philippines, but the trip is well worth it. Sometimes, travel advisories are just meant to be ignored. Honestly, I feel much safer each time I visit some of my favorite places in Mindanao.
You can really only understand the grandeur of such a place by visiting it yourself. As the popularity of the Golden Mosque has increased, travel to and from Cotabato City has been increasing dispite of negative publicity and travel advisories.
And there are many other things to see in the city itself. This is off the beaten path for now, but expect to see this area of the Philippines rise in popularity in the coming years. There is so much to see in Mindanao – The land of Promise.
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