Masjid al-Dahab, or the Golden Mosque, located in Manila's Quiapo neighbourhood, is considered the largest mosque in the capital of the Philippines. It got its name because of its huge dome covered in gold. The mosque was built in 1976 specifically for the visit of Libyan President Mowammar Gaddafi, who was to mediate between the Philippine government Philippines and Muslim separatists from the island of Mindanao. The construction was carried out under the personal supervision of then First Lady Imelda Marcos. However, at almost the last-minute visit by the Libyan leader was cancelled.
Today, the mosque is a sacred site for Manila's Muslims, who live mainly in the Quiapo and Binondo neighbourhoods. The mosque is especially crowded on Fridays during the midday Juma sermon, the mosque can accommodate up to 3,000 worshippers inside. Despite this popular popularity, the minaret of the Golden Mosque is completely rusted and the dome is partially rusted. However, restoration work mosque is scheduled for the near future.
Interestingly, in Manila, Friday is considered "Quiapo Day" because on this day, in addition to the Muslim Juma, a mass is held at the Golden Mosque in honour of the Black Jesus of Nazareth at the Quiapo Church, located just a few hundred metres from the mosque. Motorists are therefore advised not to enter the area on the last working day of the week. neighbourhood on the last working day of the week.
Muslimism was once the most widespread religion in the Philippines, until in 1570, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi overthrew the Muslim Sultan Raju Suleiman and proclaimed Manila as the capital of the Spanish colony. Today, only the Golden Mosque is a reminder of the former dominance of Islam in the Philippine Islands.
