Over 700 Madrasah graduates presented

The Madrasah Comprehensive Development and Promotion Unit (MCDPU) on Monday held a presentation ceremony for madrasah graduates at the Davao City Recreational Center.

A total of 745 graduates from the 42 madrasah centers all over the city participated in the event themed, “Reforming the Society by Spreading Authentic Knowledge.”

Monday’s ceremony was attended by National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Ulama Sector Commissioner Alima Kamil Munib, Darul Ifta Wadda’wah Association Region XI Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Pasigan, Department of Education (DepEd) Davao City Schools Division Superintendent Reynante Solitario, Deputy Mayors of the six Moro Tribes of Davao City, parents, and others.

Unlike DepEd’s Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) program, the MCDPU continues to develop and propagate traditional madrasah to young Muslim learners in the city. This is supported by the signing of Executive Order No. 53 in 2021, institutionalizing the development of traditional madrasah in the city.

The traditional madrasah curriculum developed by the MCDPU, according Executive Program Director Sheikh Abdulrahman Caderao, has nine subjects that include the Arabic language, Jurisprudence of Islam, Traditions and Customs of the Muslims, Quranic studies, and others. Learners are also taught the values of peaceful coexistence with non-Muslim communities, good citizenship, and godliness. These are taught on Saturdays and Sundays.

Over 200 uztads and educators are dispersed throughout the 42 madrasah centers in the city to teach traditional Islamic studies to kindergarten, elementary, and high school students.

“Napakaganda ng ginagawa ng city government para sa atin. Sweldado itong mga uztad na nandito. Of course, in return, ginagawa natin ang makakaya natin—along with the supervisors, the staff, the cluster heads, the educators—kung paano pa mapa-improve ang ating program (The city government is doing really god things for us. Our uztads are duly compensated. In return, we will do what we can—along with our supervisors, staff, cluster heads, educators—to improve our program),” said Caderao.

Caderao added that by prioritizing the welfare of its learners, the traditional madrasah program will ultimately contribute to peace and development in the city. CIO