Dilimbayan Central Mosque: Crown Jewel of Tugaya

Dilimbayan Tugaya Central Mosque

While Tugaya in Lanao del Sur Province is known for being the arts and crafts center of the Maranao world, at the heart of its town center is the Dilimbayan Central Mosque. Set in a sloping steep yet green landscape and a few meters away from the placid Lake Lanao, Dilimbayan Mosque is the largest religious structure in the entire town and can accommodate hundreds of worshipers in one instance.

The said mosque was built in the 15^th of January in 1962 (can be considered as a heritage structure if you asked me) and it is the main mosque of the town of Tugaya. Green and white are the dominating colours of the structure—the dominant colours of Islam. The massive structure is dominated by emerald green domes with off white accents along with its stainless steel crescents and ornate spires. The towering spire is where the muezzin calls the faithful for prayer. The windows and arches are reminiscent of its Arab influence.

Entering the mosque would require the ritual of abolition, or ritual cleansing. We didn’t get the chance to stay in longer but had a glimpse of the interior of the mosque. Carpeted and ornate, yet simple. The pupils and the faithful teach the words of Allah inside the said Masjid. I had a glimpse of Jawi script being thought to the pupils in reference to the teachings of Qur’an.

Inside Dilimbayan Mosque

Dilimbayan Central Mosque is a piece of Tugayanon craftsmanship in architecture and art. Thus only manifests the sheer raw talent that the people have in this bastion of Maranao art that is Tugaya.

Dilimbayan Central Mosque is located here:

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