MUSLIM SPACE &

PHILIPPINE ISLAMIC
ARCHITECTURE

Ortiz, Kristine Joy A.

History of Architecture- 40151

1
Table of Contents

A. Islam in the Philippines ........................................................................................................... 3

B. Philippine Muslim Concept of Space ...................................................................................... 4
C. Mosque in the Philippines ....................................................................................................... 4
 Traditional Elements of a Mosque ....................................................................................... 4
 Architecture of Philippine Mosque ...................................................................................... 5
D. Muslim Secular Architecture ................................................................................................... 6
E. Mindanao and Sulu Vernacular Houses .................................................................................. 7
1. Maranao ............................................................................................................................... 7
2. Maguindanao........................................................................................................................ 7
3. Tausug .................................................................................................................................. 8
4. Yakan ................................................................................................................................... 9
5. Samal.................................................................................................................................... 9
6. Badjao ................................................................................................................................ 10
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 11

2
 A. Islam in the Philippines
Islam was introduced to the Philippines in the late 14th century by Arab and Malay traders who
traveled around Southeast Asia and spread Sunni Islam along with a variety of Sufi practices.
The Spanish referred to Muslims as "Moors" in allusion to the Muslim "Moors" they encountered
in Spain and North Africa and whom they despised. Up to the invention of sophisticated gunboats
in the middle of the 19th century, the Filipino Moros successfully resisted the Spanish conquest
and upheld their independence in Muslim territory. The term "Moro," as it is used among Muslims,
typically refers to resistance rather than religious membership from a cultural perspective. The
Bangsamoro also known as the "Moro Nation", is the name chosen by present separatists for their
society.
The tomb of Tahun Maqbalu (Muqbalu), who passed away in 710 AD or 1310, is the oldest
indication of Muslim presence in Sulu and of a Muslim community.
Islam was brought to the Philippines by means of two cultural routes:
 Southeast Asia
 The Iberian Peninsula
The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1450 and was the first Muslim state in the southern region.
The establishment of this sultanate suggests that the local institution underwent Islamization. This
sultanate was erected over the existing foundation without harming it. This was a contributing
factor to the Sulu Sultanate's power. The Sulu sultanate was established by Hashim Abubakar, who
also served as its first sultan. His mother was a princess from Johore, and his father was an Arab
from Hadramaut. The Tausug salsila claims that Abubakar is a member of a sharif lineage, one of
the heirs of Nabi Muhammad. Sharif is a title of nobility. When Abubakar ascended to power, he
added five titles to his name; as a result, his full name is Hashim Abubakar, Paduka, Mawlana, and
Mahasiri.
Multi-ethnicity exists in the Sulu sultanate. Early in the 18th century, when it was at its most
powerful, Sabah, the entire Zamboanga Peninsula Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Palawan were
all included in its territory.
During the pre-Spanish period, the sultanate started to step up its peace efforts with nearby Muslim
princes in:
 Buayan,
 Cebu
 China,
 Maguindanao
 Makassar
 Manila

3
 B. Philippine Muslim Concept of Space
There are thirteen ethnolinguistic communities of Muslims in the Philippines, the major group
include:
 Maguindanao of Cotabato
 Maranao of Lanao Provinces
 The Tausug of Sulu
 Samal of Tawi-Tawi
 Yakan of Basilan
Filipino Muslims have historically differed greatly in their cultural life while having a variety of
ethnolinguistic bases from which Islamic tradition was grafted, yet they do share some behaviors
that are space-dependent.
 According to Muslim scholar Abraham Sakili, Islamic space and architecture are
intertwined, and Tawhid, the central Islamic concept, should be considered when
examining Muslim concepts of space and how they are used.
o By explaining Islamic cosmology and the idea that man is the Khalifa, or
viceregent, of God in this world, the Tawhid is further developed. He argues that
the relationship between these three ideas has a significant impact on how Muslims
view and utilize space in architecture.

 The aim of Muslim architects is to create a setting that emphasizes the fleeting and
temporary nature of material objects while giving focus to the sparseness and voidness of
the architectural vessel. Therefore, surface decoration devalues structural components by
drawing attention away from organic materials and onto the impersonal, abstract
ornamentation of buildings. One is inspired to consider the divine by their perception of
space.

 There is no special or specific instruction in the Koran for the architectural form of its
worship space. Filipino Muslim architects are free to interpret these fundamental
requirements based on their own pre-existing ideas.

C. Mosque in the Philippines

 Traditional Elements of a Mosque

The regional traditions of the time and place where a mosque was built have the most influence on
its architecture. As a result, style, layout, and decoration can all be quite different.
 Mihrab
- A mihrab is a niche in a mosque that indicates the Qibla (kible),
or the direction in which a Muslim should perform Salat.

4
 o Qibla
 The direction in which Muslims pray toward Mecca's Ka'ba
 The qibla wall in a mosque is the wall that faces Mecca.
- Most ornate part of a mosque, highly decorated and often
embellished with inscriptions from the Qur'an.
 Minbar
- When delivering preaching after Friday prayer, the prayer leader
(imam) stands on a pulpit in the form of a staircase.
- The pulpit is typically located to the right of the mihrab and is
frequently made of intricately carved wood or stone.

 Minaret
- a tall tower attached to or near a mosque from which the call
to prayer is announced.
- The minaret serves as a powerful visual reminder of
Islam's presence.
 Sahn
- The most basic requirement of congregational mosque architecture
is that it can accommodate the entire male population of a city
or town (women are welcome to attend Friday prayers,
but not required)
- There is a public fountain where believers can perform ablutions,
which is the ritual washing of the hands, feet, and face before prayer.

 Architecture of Philippine Mosque

Mosques, tombs, palaces, and forts are the most prominent examples of Islamic architecture. It can
also be found in secondary structures such as dwellings, fountains, and public baths. Large domes,
minarets, and courtyards are used to convey power. The interior space of buildings in Islamic
architecture is more impressive than the exterior, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the
"architecture of the veil."
Since the early A.D., Islam has existed as a religion. 600s. Along with its global emergence, it
paved the way for the development of its own distinct artistic style. Islamic art focuses on creating
an art form that is based on beauty and respect for Islam's teachings.
Islamic art is distinguished by :
 Floral,
 Plant
 Geometric designs.
 Calligraphy
 Architecture,
 Painting,

5
  Clothing
 Other forms of fine art make use of it.
As Islam spread around the world, this distinct form of art became an integral part of the identity
of its adherents, including those in the Philippines. Mosques in the Philippines share an
architectural feature with their Southeast Asian neighbors. It is made of lightweight materials such
as wood, bamboo, and cogon grass and was used in the construction of the first types of mosques,
but these lightweight materials did not last long. Today's mosques, on the other hand, are
structurally patterned after their Middle Eastern counterparts.
The similarities between the origins of Islamic Architecture and its other variations, such as
Philippine - Islamic Architecture, are merely guidelines that characterize a broader view of Islamic
architecture. Despite retaining its Islam form, Islamic architecture in the Philippines was
influenced by great cultures. Islamic architecture in the Philippines has long been associated with
its ethnic background. However, globalization has influenced changes in the visual expression of
Islamic architecture. There has been a shift in the adoption of forms and styles as a result of
developing an art centered on ethnicity.

D. Muslim Secular Architecture

Because systematic urbanization was one of the most distinguishing features of early Muslim
civilization, Islamic secular architecture has left a wealth of information about cities.
Islamic architecture includes both secular and religious structures that include:
 Large-scale Mosques
 Fortresses,
 Palaces,
 Tombs,
 Schools
 Other public buildings, as well as smaller-scale fountains, public baths, and domestic
structures.
Mosques and palatial gardens of paradise are examples of Islamic architecture with religious
significance. While there are examples of Islamic figurative painting that depict religious scenes,
these examples are typically from secular contexts, such as palace walls or illuminated books of
poetry. Other religious art, such as glass mosque lamps, Girih tiles, woodwork, and carpets, often
exhibit the same style and motifs as contemporary secular art, but with more prominent religious
inscriptions.
There is much in early Islamic secular architecture that can be used to illustrate secular arts in other
places, such as Byzantium or the West. However, if a new political or social entity is to succeed
in preserving its own identity, it must give to its secular needs specific directions and emphases
that will eventually establish a distinct cultural image. This is what happened during the Umayyad
and early Abbasid periods of secular architecture development.

6
 E. Mindanao and Sulu Vernacular Houses

1. Maranao
Maranao is the Philippines' largest Muslim cultural-linguistic group. They numbered over 840,000
in the late twentieth century and lived around Lake Lanao on Mindanao's southern island. Rice
farming, as well as metalworking and woodworking handicrafts, is their main source of income.
The Maranaos have three (3) types of houses: Lawig the small house, Mala-a-walai, and the
Torogan (Ancestral house of upper-class Maranao)

Torogan House

- The Maranao arrange their houses in a line pattern along a river, road, or lakeshore
- The old Maranao house is simply one big portionless room
- Bed spaces are created by using several carved sheets of the woven, split rattan Sapiyay
or the mosquito screen, used as dividers or headboards.
- Raised on pilings from .31 to 2.21 meters above the ground
- Roof, walls flooring, doors, and windows are made of bamboo material lashed together
with rattan
- Usually has to 9 to 12 posts, depending on the size of the house
- The main room without partitions measures about 7.86 to 18.9 meters.

2. Maguindanao
Maguindanao is a province in the Philippines that includes the Sulu Archipelago as well as the
provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in central Mindanao. It is part of the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Municipality of Shariff Aguak serves as its
capital.

7
 - Traditional Maguindanaon houses are known as "walay,"
- Typically constructed of nipa and bamboo for the walls and floor.
- The one-story structure is divided into several rooms. A ladder is used to gain access
to the house, particularly those on stilts.
- The okir or ukil (floral/plant-like decoration), the steep and graceful roofs, the solid
construction, the indigenous ornaments, the concern for ventilation, and the concept
of space are all noteworthy features.

3. Tausug
One of the largest Muslim (also known as Moro) ethnic groups in the southwestern Philippines.
They are primarily found in the Sulu Archipelago, southwest of Mindanao, primarily in the Jolo
island cluster.

-The “Bay Sinug” roof has horn-shaped finials known as Tadjuk Pasung, which have faded in
favor of the more modern galvanized roofing. Some believe that the tadjuk pasung represents
either the flight of a bird or the shape of a dragon.
-It consists of nine posts. The navel of the house is located in the center of the house. Each post
represents a different part of the body: the neck, shoulders, navel, ribs, groin, and hips.
- They decorate the bilik (room) with a large luhul or rectangular cloth to catch the leaves, dust,
and pests.
- Sometimes the porch has railings of bamboo and wood. On the front porch Is a long high bench
comfortable enough for resting especially during warm weather.
-A single rectangular room raised on 6 to 8 piles and surrounded by elevated porches leading to a
separate kitchen
-The structure is made of lumber, bamboo, and sawali (bamboo matting).

8
 4. Yakan
The Yakan are Muslim people from the southern Philippines. They live on the island of Basilan,
which is located just off the southwestern tip of Mindanao.

- A Traditional Yakan house is called “lumah”

- It is a rectangular structure that is 50 to 100 square meters in size and 2 meters above
the ground by timber posts.
- The main house, the kitchen, and the porch are the three main components of a Yakan
house.
- The sapiaw, or roof, is constructed of a steeply pitched cogon supported by bamboo
or timber frames
- The walls are made of sawali, which are wooden bamboo strips.
- The floor may be made of bamboo, but it is frequently made of wood.

5. Samal
The term "Samal" refers to Muslim Samalan speakers. They are one of ten Islamic groups
currently living in the southern Philippines, and they are one of many ethnic-minority groups in
the Philippines.

- Samal houses are also elevated on water.

9
 - Samal houses are clustered in groups by kinship and are affiliated with the nearest
mosque. There can be 100-500 members per group
- Roof- The gable roof with a moderate slope is usually made of Nipa Thatch material
on bamboo or wood purlins
- Kingpost- The central timber post that extends beyond the perimeter wall to support
the gable-end wall and the ridge of the roof.
- Girder- A thick lumber or bamboo which holds the floor joists of the house.

6. Badjao
The Badjao are a sea-dwelling tribe known as the "Sea Nomads" who have spent centuries floating
off the coasts of Southeast Asia. They make a living from traditional free-diving for fish and pearls
as a nomadic tribe living in stilt huts or boat houses on shallow waters.

1. Luma
-standing on the seashore
-sturdier material than stilt houses
- Ladder serves as a wash area
- Mirror symbolizes the number of children
2. Stilt Houses
- Built along shores of lighter materials
- Materials are free or cost very little

10
REFERENCES
Aira Altovar (2014). Pre-Spanish Architecture. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/saiAltovar/prespanish-architecture-presentation
Arch. Gloryrose Dy-Metilla (2020). Bay Sinug. Retrieved from http://filipinaarchitect.com/bay-
sinug/
Corinne Malolos (2013). Badjao and Samal Coastal Communities. Retrieved from
https://prezi.com/rbv6cnd4zw0a/badjao-and-samal/
Franck Laubach (1923) Islam in the Philippines. Retrieved from
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1478-1913.1923.tb01931.x
Jelvin Zamora (2020). Yakan House. Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/449096774/yakan-house-pptx
Kendra Weisbin (n.d). Introduction to Mosque Architecture. Retrieved from
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/introduction-cultures-religions-
apah/islam-apah/a/introduction-to-mosque-architecture
Marvin Tort (2021). Relearning Islamic History in the Philippines. Retrieved from
https://www.bworldonline.com/editors-picks/2018/06/13/165172/relearning-islamic-history-in-
the-philippines/
Michelle Miranda (2014). Muslim Space and the Philippine Islamic Architecture. Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/242248127/MUSLIM-SPACE-and-the-Philippine-Islamic-
Architecture
Nakpil (2019). Architecture Dwellings. Retrieved from
https://quizlet.com/414363992/philippine-architecture-1-early-dwellings-flash-cards/
Ozayr Saloojee (n.d). Retrieved from https://faithandform.com/feature/community-space-and-
time-in-islamic-architecture/
PhilAtlas (n.d). Maguindanao. Retrieved from
https://www.philatlas.com/mindanao/barmm/maguindanao.html
Potpot (2019). Retrieved from http://www.traveltrilogy.com/2019/08/torogan-traditional-
maranao-royal-house.html
Sesame Jack (2017). Retrieved from
https://www.bintangrestaurant.co.uk/blog/2019/8/8/eall8091rb4ua41rkmqiopm3oqhhps#:~:text=
The%20Bangsamoro%20'moro'%20people%20are,Mindanao%2C%20Sulu%20islands%20and%
20Palawan.
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica (n.d). Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maranao

11
The Editos of Encyclopedia Britannica (n.d). Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islamic-architecture
Virginia Gorlinski (n.d). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yakan
Yen Da (2021). Samal House in Book. Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/document/535283374/SAMAL-HOUSE-IN-BOOK

12