Taluksangay Mosque (Masjid Taluksangay) is the oldest mosque in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula. The mosque is located in the coastal barangay of Taluksangay in Zamboanga City, and was built in 1885 by Hadji Abdullah Maas Nuno. Since then, it has become the center of propagation of Islam in the Western Mindanao region.
Taluksangay is located some 18 km north-east of the city center of Zamboanga. Muslims are the majority of Taluksangay's population with a large number of Badjao communities on its coastal and riverside areas.
Over the years, it has undergone several expansions to accommodate its growing community. The prominent members of the society have also made a great deal of donations for the renovation and maintenance of the mosque.
On the day of our visit, we were fortunate that the caretakers were there. We were invited to enter the mosque so that we could take photos of the interior. We were told that many of the fixtures inside were donated by the wealthy residents of Taluksangay.
It is in fact one of the well maintained mosques we have ever seen so far in the Philippines. It only shows how the residents value their mosque for its central role in community living, but also for its historic importance as part of their heritage.
The Taluksangay Mosque is truly a treasure worth keeping and maintaining for future generations to better appreciate their history. It is also a worthy tourist attraction that best exemplifies the cultural diversity of Zamboanga City, a diversity that is truly unique on this part of the Philippines.
On our way back to the city center of Zamboanga, we took another glance of the mosque from the bridge and it was a real beauty to admire with the rich greenery surrounding it and the river flowing behind. From here, one can observe the living community radiating from the mosque as its center.
How to get to Taluksangay Mosque
From the city center, take the Taluksangay-bound jeepney along Sevilla Street, near the corner of Don Pablo Lorenzo Street. The queue is right in front of the Southway Square mall, near Plaza Pershing. Tell the driver to drop you off right in front of Taluksangay Mosque. Travel time is 45 minutes. Fare is P25.00 per person.
Tip: To go back to the city center, do what the locals do. Wait at the shed in front of the mosque for the jeepney arriving from the city center. The arriving jeepney would still drop-off and pick-up passengers at the local market and it will already be full by the time it gets back to the mosque.
i missed this during our Zamboanga visit...
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