On Friday, Tir 13, 1403,(July 12, 2024) Mr. Abdolmajid Abolghasemi, the Cultural Counselor, along with Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, Dr. Ahad Azadi Khah, the esteemed representative of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, who was sent to Manila during the mourning period for Imam Hossein (AS), visited the Blue Mosque located in the Muslim neighborhood of Maharlika in the southeastern part of Metro Manila and the Darul Quran Kareem of this mosque. They met and conversed with the new head of the Darul Quran, prominent Quran reciters trained at this Darul Quran, a number of Quran students, and Muslims present. This mosque, with a fifty-year history, was built in 1974 by the famous Filipino architect Angel Nakpil in the Muslim neighborhood of Maharlika. It is currently the second-largest mosque in Metro Manila and has been hosting daily prayers, Friday prayers, and various Islamic ceremonies during festivals. Its major renovations were recently completed. The Darul Quran Kareem, a joint project between the Cultural Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Philippine Commission on Muslim Affairs (Ministry of Muslim Affairs), is located in this mosque. It has been the source of outstanding Quranic services among the Muslims of the Muslim region of Maharlika and the country.

 

 

Upon their arrival, the Iranian delegation was welcomed by Ustad Bayan, who assumed the leadership of the Darul Quran after the passing of its former head, the late Ustad Abdulmonem Suleiman, an internationally renowned Qur'anic reciter from the Philippines. A group of Qur'anic scholars trained at the center, as well as the mosque's administrative head, were also present to greet them. As the guests entered the Darul Quran compound, Ustad Bayan expressed his gratitude for the continued support of the Cultural Center, acknowledging their ongoing contributions through the presence of religious scholars and officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran. He acknowledged that the presence of Hojjat al-Islam Dr. Ahad Azadi Khah, a respected member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament), added to the honor of the Darul Quran. The head of the center then introduced two distinguished reciters, trained at the Darul Quran, who had been sent to participate in international Quran recitation competitions in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Malaysia last year. He invited them to enrich the Quranic gathering, which they did with beautiful recitations, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere in the presence of the guests, as well as the wife and child of the recently deceased Ustad Abdulmonem Suleiman. He addressed the Quran reciters, students, and the head of another Darul Quran in Metro Manila, who had joined the gathering as a representative of the Golden Mosque Darul Quran, the largest mosque in Metro Manila. He expressed his readiness to assist and convey the message of the Quranic centers of Manila to the relevant authorities in Iran. He also offered prayers for the forgiveness of the late former head of the Darul Quran and extended his condolences to the deceased's wife and child. For the new head of the Darul Quran, he wished success and emphasized that the Quran is a unifying force that can bring the Islamic communities closer together.

 

 

Mr. Abdolmajid Abolghasemi, the Cultural Counselor, also expressed his gratitude for the efforts and continuation of Quranic education in following the path of the late head of the Darul Quran. He praised the efforts of the Quran reciters and students in promoting Quranic activities and added, "Today, we have come with an esteemed guest from the Islamic Consultative Assembly to witness your activities firsthand."

Mr. Abolghasemi emphasized that adherence to the Quran is a key factor in bringing Muslims closer to one another. He acknowledged that with the passing of the late Ustad Abdulmunem Suleiman, Ustad Bayan, one of his dedicated students, will continue the activities of the Darul Quran. He assured that the Cultural Center will provide the necessary support for this Darul Quran and other centers. Furthermore, he expressed readiness to promote Quranic diplomacy by collaborating with mosques and Islamic centers across the Philippines, facilitating the participation of prominent Quran reciters in international Quranic competitions. The daughter of the late Munim Suleiman, in a brief statement, expressed her gratitude for the presence of the guests, especially the member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. She said, "I must respectfully inform Mr. Abolghasemi, the esteemed Cultural Counselor of the Islamic Republic, that although my father has passed away, my mother and I assure you of our full support for Ustad Bayan. I personally feel as though another father has taken over the responsibilities, and it is essential to offer him our full support."

The administrative head of the Blue Mosque also expressed gratitude for the presence of Mr. Abolghasemi, the Cultural Counselor, Dr. Azadi Khah, the representative of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and the accompanying delegation. He emphasized his continued support for the Darul Quran. After a brief tour of the mosque courtyard and performing two units of Tahiyat-ul-Masjid prayer, the Iranian delegation departed.