MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure declaring November 7 of every year as a special national working holiday to honor the contributions of Muslim Filipinos to the country’s cultural and historical heritage.

Signed on July 9, 2025, Republic Act No. 12228 designates November 7 as Sheikh Karim’ul Makhdum Day, in commemoration of the establishment of the Philippines’ first mosque and the introduction of Islam to the country.

The law recognizes the arrival of Arab missionary Shariff Karim’ul Makhdum in Tawi-Tawi, where he built the first mosque and played a key role in the spread of Islam in the Philippines.

“It is the policy of the State to instill inclusivity to all regardless of religious beliefs, in line with the constitutional right to freely exercise and enjoy their religion,” the law states.

“Moreover, it is the State’s policy to provide due recognition to the indispensable contributions of Muslim Filipinos in the development of Philippine culture and civilization,” it added.