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Islamic City of Marawi
Islamic Center of Marawi City
Seal
Nickname(s): The Summer Capital of the South
Map of Lanao del Sur showing the location of Marawi City
Country	Philippines
Region	Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Province	Lanao del Sur (capital)
Barangays	96
Incorporated (town)	1907
Government
- Mayor	Sultan Fahad 'Pre' Salic
Area
- Total	87.55 km2 (33.8 sq mi)
Population (2000)
- Total	131,090
Time zone	PST (UTC)

Marawi City popularly known as Islamic City of Marawi is a city in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. It is the capital city of Lanao del Sur. It is However called as the Summer Capital of the South.^{[citation needed]}

Location

Marawi City is bounded on the west by Marantao and Saguiaran, on the east by Bubong and Ditsaan Ramain, on the north by Kapai, and on the south by Lake Lanao. It has a total land area of 87.55 sq. km.

History

Marawi was a municipality named Dansalan, capital of the defunct undivided Lanao province in the Philippines from 1907 to 1940, first under the government of the Moro Province, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu, the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes, the Commonwealth, and finally the Republic.

According to one of the late well-known Meranao scholar Dr. Mamitua Saber, Marawi City got its charter in 1940. But, Samira Gutoc, a Meranao journalist, said that 'the lone Islamic City in the country, Marawi, marked its 28 years last Tuesday as a chartered city celebrating the modern and the past.'

The granting of a charter to the old Dansalan Municipality was jointly conceived by Commonwealth President, Manuel L. Quezon and Assemblyman, later Senator Tomas L. Cabili. The changing of the official name from Dansalan to Marawi was through Congressional amendment of the Charter in 1956 sponsored by Senator Domocao Alonto.' This is embodied in Republic Act No. 1552 dated June 16, 1956.

Under the impact of Islamic awareness and consciousness, the renaming of Marawi City into Islamic City of Marawi was proposed in Parliamentary Bill No. 261 by former Assemblyman Dianalan, brother of former late Mayor Omar Dianalan.

Professor Talib Benito]] in his thesis work entitled, the Renaming of Marawi City into Islamic City of Marawi: An Attitudinal Study Among City Residents in 1983, revealed that the bill was read before the Batasan floor during its second session on July 24, 1979 and was transmitted to and received by the Committee on Local Government and Community Development on August 2, 1979.

A Scenic View of Marawi City

Republic Act No. 6734- 'An Act Providing for an Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao' as amended by Republic Act No. 9054 'An Act to strengthen and expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao' and the Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Acts. During the 1990 plebescite, the people of Marawi City voted against the inclusion of the City in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Therefore, Executive Order No. 429 dated October 12, 1990 provides the transfer of the City to Region IX.

Another plebiscite was scheduled toward the end of 2002. Despite government campaigning for a yes vote in many provinces in Southern Mindanao, only one more province (Basilan) and one city (Marawi) voted to be included in the expanded ARMM. Marawi is thickly populated by a Muslim Maranaos. The 68 years city is expected to be one of the progressive cities in the Philippines.^[1]

In 1976, the city was made the seat of the newly erected Territorial Prelature of Marawi.

Barangays

Marawi City is politically subdivided into 96 barangays.

Geography

Marawi City showing some residences beside Agus River

Marawi City is bounded on the north by the municipalities of Kapai and Saguiaran, on the south by Lake Lanao, on the east by the municipalities of Bubong and Ditsaan Ramain, and on the west by the municipalities of Marantao and Sauiaran. Rolling hills and valleys and a placid lake dominate the city's landscape. Due to its high elevation, its weather is cool (in tropical terms) and pleasant, distinguished by an even distribution of rainfall throughout the year.

Population

According to the 2000 census, Marawi City has a population of 131,090 people in 20,375 households.

Language

Maranao is the official language of Marawi City, It has 90% of Muslim Population. However, Majority of them are literate in Tagalog, Cebuano and English

Economy

Livelihood

The economy of Marawi City is largely based on agriculture and exporting. Most industries in the city are Agriculture-oriented. They include rice and corn, hollow block manufacturing, goldsmithing, and saw milling. Small and cottage-size enterprises are engaged in garment-making, mat and malong weaving, woodcraft, brassware making, web development, and blacksmithing.

Society

Peace Park located at Mindanao State University

Marawi City is predominantly Muslim. Maranao is the most widely spoken dialect and is understood by Muslims and Christians alike. Since Arabic studies came to be widely taught among the city's students, a great number of the population can read, write and speak Arabic. Also, the majority of schools use English as the medium of instruction.

Ethnic Dances

• Kini-kini A special artistic way of walking of Maranao women, as dramatized in their dances.
• Singkil An ethnic dance which has for its basic accompaniment the clapping of two bamboo poles. An interesting footnote to Maranao dances: The women are not allowed to dance with the men

Holidays

• Maulid En Nabi Some of the Muslim world celebrate the feast, the birthday of Muhammad. This is movable feast on which the Sultan or Datu of the place is oblige to give for his people. Some of the Maranaos celebrate it ahead of the set day and the rest on the specified date, birthday of Muhammad.

• Ramadan The Muslims seem eagerly looking forward this 12th month of the year. They believe that they have to spend what they have earned for the rest of 11 months in the whole month of Ramadan. Not only looking for the best foods in town but searching for the best kitchen utensils. Some have been accustomed to buying new equipment and keep the old ones during this month. On the very first night, others called it Pegang, special foods displayed in new beautiful glasswares were being served happily. Some believed that once you begin with the above, surely the following nights will be repetitions. Giving and praying during this month will be rewarded a thousand times than the rest of the months.

• Wedding Day Wedding cost a lot wherein the presence of both the bride and groom's parents, relatives and friends are necessary. The celebration varies from the class of the family where the couple belongs. Food served and money is divided among the crowd. Festivity started one week before the crowning of the Sultan, Bae and datus. People are invited together in this occasion wherein food is served in abundance. It is therefore the best time for the coronation of the nobility such as Sultan and other Datus.

• Morod A Miskin Is a feast given to the poor of the community. Food is prepared and people are invited including the Sultan to partake the feast.

• Morod A Lomalayag Feast given by travelers or sailors after they have returned from a trip in thanksgiving for their success and safety.

Tourism

Mindanao State University located at Islamic City of Marawi

Destinations

• Aga Khan (Mindanao State University, Marawi City). Named in honor of King Aga Khan who contributed to the realization of the museaum. Historical development of the country is bank on the large space upon the conservation of cultural materials. It has huge, collection of indigenous art, displayed ethnic music tape recorded, the native folk dances from different regions of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan, the native tools and weapons used by the Muslims and different artistic designs of houses are the main attractions of museum. Indigenous art and cultural material are being displayed.

• Moncado Colony (Moncado, Cadingilan). Named in honor of Hilario Camino Moncado, a native Filipino, leader, an organizer, author of books and lecturer of humanities. He graduated with honor at the age of nine at India College of Mystery and Psychics. Moncado monuments and wild animals monuments can be found here.

• Torogans and Sambitory old Building (Amito, Dayawan, Marawi City, Sambitory building, Barrio Naga, Marawi City). The feeling of the unique natural setting of the Maranao in Marawi City is manifested by the presence of many large 'Torogans', an antique royal high roofed with curving designed houses of Maranao.

• Beautiful Rolling Hills and Mountains. They are found in Marawi City. Signal hill, Arumpac hill and Mt. Mupo are considered beautiful but mysterious. Angoyao hills served as natural watch over tower to the water of the Lake Lanao. Mt. Mupo is known for its untouched trees, beautiful and perfect cone.

• Lake Lanao Marawi lies in the rolling terrain commanding majestic view of the fascinating Lake Lanao. The largest lake in Mindanao and the deepest in the Philippines. It is one of the 15 ancient lakes of the world.

• Bagang Beach (Caloocan, Marawi City). It is located 2 meters away from the commercial site of the city; filled rocks and boulders, trees in the lakeside that served benches and the latter as shades. Besides are floating woods, where the brgy. residents take a bath and ablution. Ideal for picnics, nice place for boating and swimming because of the clear water.

• Agus River Located in between Saduc and Lilod, Marawi City. Swiftest river in the country, its famous cataract is the Maria Cristina Falls, outlet of Lake Lanao to Illana Bay.

• Golf Course. Located at the Mindanao State University, Marawi City. A 9 hole course laid out on the gentle greenery of Mindanao State University. Visitors who play golf will enjoy playing at the greenery ground, one can relax and breath the clean country, air and bath under the gentle sun.

• Kilometer Zero Point Marker. An important landmark in Lanao del Sur, from which all distances in Mindanao are measured. This is similar to the measures of distances in Manila which begin at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park.

• Mindanao State University Marawi City draws the most number of visitors within Lanao del Sur in which the MSU is located. Founded in 1961, it serves as an educational institute and a center of social and cultural integration.

• Dansalan Junior College Founded by the American Protestants after world war II. It served as the premiere secondary institution of the province and produced some of the best leaders of Lanao del Sur, among them the late Gov. Mamintal Adiong.

References

1. ^ http://ranaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=305&Itemid=53

External links

• Islamic City of Marawi - Marawi City Website
• The Mindanao Examiner Newspaper

Coordinates: 8°00′N 124°18′E / 8, 124.3

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