The Blue Mosque, which is fifty years old, was built in 1974 by the renowned Filipino architect Angel Nakpil in the Muslim-populated area of Maharlika. Currently, after the Golden Mosque, it is one of the seven most important mosques in the Philippines and the second largest mosque in Metro Manila, located in the Muslim neighborhood of Quiapo. Since its establishment, the mosque has been a center for daily prayers, Friday prayers, and various Islamic festivities. The Darul Quran Karim — a joint project of the Cultural Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)— is also located in this mosque and has served as a hub for distinguished Qur’anic services among the Muslims of Maharlika and the country.

Alim Najeeb Taher, the imam and Friday preacher, stated in part of his sermon: "Imam Khomeini (may God have mercy on him), as a religious and political figure, brought about a tremendous transformation in the history of Islam and the movement of the Islamic Ummah toward global unity. His Islamic movement was not limited to the borders of Iran; its effects reached other Islamic countries. Imam Khomeini constantly invited Muslims in his speeches to unity and joining the great body of the Islamic Ummah."

He believed that only through unity and solidarity among Muslims can the high goals of Islam be achieved and the global threats and challenges be faced. In this regard, Alim Najeeb Taher urged the congregation to join the great Islamic Ummah in defense of the oppressed people of Palestine and to pray for their liberation. Notably, the preacher was moved to tears while praying for the liberation of the oppressed Palestinians and stressed that such liberation is only possible through the unity of the Islamic world.

After the Friday prayer, the Iranian delegation was escorted to the Section of Mr. Jadjouri Hailaya Arasa, the administrative director of the Blue Mosque. The Cultural Counselor, while appreciating the cooperation of the past and present officials of the mosque—especially since Mr. Arasa has resumed responsibility after a few years—said that the collaboration between the Cultural Section, the NCMF, and the mosque authorities led to the establishment of the Darul Quran in this mosque. This center has played a significant role in teaching and promoting Qur’anic education. He also commemorated the late Ustad Naeem Sulaiman, the first head of the Darul Quran, and prayed that today's Friday prayer be a reward for his soul.

Mr. Abolghasemi added that, in coordination with the Darul Quran Karim of this mosque, four Filipino reciters were prepared to participate in the 41st International Qur’an Competition in Tehran. Among them, Ustad Jasem Haj Daoud won third place and Nazir Asghar secured fourth place. He also noted that during the Iftar gathering, the NCMF chairman, Ustad Datu Yahya Sangi—who had previously been sent by the Cultural Section to the Tehran recitation competitions and had won fourth place—delivered a very beautiful recitation that impressed the attendees. On the sidelines of this event, he also spoke with Mr. Sabodin N. Abdurahim and emphasized enhancing joint relations and cooperation between the Muslim community of the Philippines and Iran. He reiterated that the Cultural Section of the Iranian Embassy, in accordance with the cooperation agreement with the NCMF, made the arrangements for the participation of the four Filipino reciters, two of whom won top ranks, and expressed readiness for more cooperation in Qur’anic affairs. This was warmly welcomed by the Honorable Minister of Muslim Affairs.

The Cultural Counselor also called for the expansion of Qur’anic activities with the Blue Mosque to promote Qur’anic culture and sciences, a proposal welcomed by the mosque's management and other attendees. He added that there is potential for Iranian Qur’anic and Tawasheeh (religious chanting) groups to perform in Philippine mosques, and likewise, for Filipino reciters and Qur’anic artists to participate in events in Iran.

He concluded by saying that, as you know, next week is International Quds Day. In solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine, in cooperation with the Blue Mosque, we intend to hold a photo exhibition on the sidelines of the Friday prayer, displaying the crimes of the Zionist occupying regime against the defenseless people of Gaza—crimes which have led to the martyrdom of over 50,000 women, children, and citizens of Palestine.

The management of the Blue Mosque also expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the Cultural Section in continuing the operations of the Darul Quran and announced their readiness for any cooperation in this field. They said they look forward to welcoming the Iranian delegation on Quds Day.

Finally, Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Saeed Ghofrallahi, a cleric dispatched from Iran, emphasized in a short speech—based on Qur’anic verses—the importance of fasting and wished success for all in implementing the commandments of Islam. At the end, Mr. Abolghasemi once again thanked the Blue Mosque for its cooperation with the Cultural Section in advancing Qur’anic activities and expressed hope that, in line with developing Qur’anic diplomacy, joint cooperation between the Muslim community in the Philippines and Iran will continue.