MARAWI CITY , Lanao del Sur (PIA) —The government through the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) turned over the newly-rehabilitated Grand Mosque to its administrators Thursday, December 2.

Popularly known to locals as the Islamic Center, the iconic Grand Mosque is regarded as the biggest place of Islamic worship in the country with a floor area of 9,484 square meters which can accommodate around 20,000 worshippers at any given time. 

The key of responsibility and supporting documents that included certificates of completion and occupancy, fire safety clearances, as well as electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, among others, were handed over by TFBM chief Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario to Administrator Hadji Abdul Pangarungan who thanked the government for rehabilitating the mosque.

The turnover was witnessed by Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), City Mayor Majul Gandamra, and some members of the Pangarungan clan.

The NCMF Secretary also conveyed his gratitude to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Secretary Del Rosario for their efforts in restoring and improving the Grand Mosque which Pangarungan considered as the crown jewel of Marawi. These efforts, he said, will always be remembered by the people of Marawi.

Pangarungan also recalled when President Duterte unveiled the marker of the mosque in October of this year and urged the concerned stakeholders to continue to foster cooperation so that Marawi will be able to build back better and stronger.

"We, the Pangarungan family, are taking the President’s marching order to heart by becoming stewards of this centerpiece of religious, cultural, and historical significance,” he said.

After the turnover ceremony, the new set of Board of Directors of the Grand Mosque took their oath to accept the responsibilities in managing the newly-restored and improved place of Islamic worship.