Lifestyle & Culture

Quiapo’s Muslim District: A Heritage Gem

Quiapo is not just about the Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Quinta Market, tarot readers, and cheap deals. Many people don’t know that on the other side of Quiapo, one of the most interesting heritage districts in Manila can be found – the Muslim district.

In this write-up, Flying Ketchup honors the unique Islamic heritage of Quiapo’s Muslim district (also called “Muslim town”) by listing down the things that make it one of the most important Metro Manila cultural sites.

The Golden Mosque

The Golden Mosque or Masjid Al-Dahab is the center of the district and is considered the largest mosque in Metro Manila. The mosque was constructed in 1976 for the visit of the late Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. Although his scheduled visit never happened, the mosque serves as an important place of worship for Manila’s Muslim community.

Important rituals such as the Jumuah prayers are held on Fridays where most Muslims go to the mosque.

Architecture of the Golden Mosque

The mosque is faithful to Islamic architecture. It possesses the typical Arabian style with its forest of columns, onion-shaped dome, pointed arches, and Islamic calligraphy. Uniquely, the house of worship is also decorated with ethnic motifs inspired by Maranao, Maguindanaon, and Tausug arts.

Kids playing outside the Golden Mosque.

Are non-Muslims welcome to enter the golden mosque? Of course! Just be respectful and mindful of your surroundings especially during prayer times. Muslims pray five times a day. Their daily prayer ritual is called salat, and it is part of the five pillars of Islam.

Dressing modestly is also expected for both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Maranao Products

Palapa and sakurab.

One of the primary reasons to visit the Muslim district is its vibrant local market. Dozens of stalls boast an array of unique ingredients and products not usually found around Metro Manila. Palapa, a traditional Maranao condiment, is ubiquitous in the district. If you are lucky, you can get a glimpse of vendors cooking fresh palapa. A tub of palapa goes for around 110 php.

For those who are unfamiliar with palapa, it is made from ginger, salt, chili, and sakurab, a native shallot similar to scallion. You can also buy sakurab alone just in case you want to make your own palapa. It costs around 70 php for a bundle.

A store of Maranao products.

The market also offers other products such as durian preserves, halal spices, and pusan, a condiment similar to bagoong alamang.

A row of smoked tuna called bakas.

You can also find bakas or smoked yellowfin tuna at the Muslim district. Bakas can be eaten as is or used in the traditional Maranao dish Piaparan a bakas. The price of it can range from 200 to 400 php depending on the size.

A stall of garments

Different kinds of Muslim clothing such as malongs, kombongs (headwraps), and abayas (long outer garments) are also available in the area.

Abundance of Flavor

Food laws carry a special significance in Muslims. Halal is an Arabic word that means permissible; the term applies to cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, etc. In reference to food, Halal-certified food or product means that it is permissible or acceptable in accordance with Islamic law. Halal food should be free of pork, its by-products, and alcohol, while meat and poultry must be processed according to Islamic requirements. The opposite of halal is haram.

Finding Halal food in Metro Manila is a labor-intensive affair, but one will find an abundance of choices here in the Muslim district. You can find several karinderyas and restaurants that serve halal food – mainly Maranao cuisine.

One of its delicious offerings is Chicken Piaparan, a Maranao dish made with chicken, turmeric, coconut milk, shredded coconut, palapa, and other spices. The taste is reminiscent of chicken curry, but more unique because of the hint of spiciness from the palapa, and added texture from the papar (cooked grated coconut).

Food around the Muslim District of Quiapo.From right to left: Chicken Piaparan, Teh Tarik, and Paratha.

Coffee culture is strong among the residents of the Muslim district, exemplified by the presence of several cafes that serve brewed coffee. Non-coffee food items are also offered such as Teh Tarik (sweet hot milk tea) and Paratha (grilled flatbread). Both are examples of the integration of foreign influences in local Islamic cuisine.

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Maranao food
A display of Maranao dishes at Junairah restaurant. Other dishes are also available such as beef rendang, kilawin, and pater, rice topped with meat wrapped in banana leaves.

It is important to recognize that Filipino-Muslim people are not a single homogenous group. Besides the Maranao, there are around 13 Muslim ethnolinguistic groups. This includes Maguindanaon, Tausug, Sama-Bajau, Yakan, Jama Mapun, Iranun, Molbog etc. Each group has its own unique identity and way of life.

The food, as well as the people, market, and architecture of Quiapo’s Muslim district, compose just the tip of the iceberg of the colorful Islamic heritage of the Philippines.

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