Sahali urges ulema to begin construction of grand mosque

By Nash Tahang

Governor Toto Sahali has nodded his consent to the construction of the Grand Mosque, after a group of ulama from the Majlisul A’ala, has sought his intervention to bring the long delayed mosque project to reality.

     In a meeting with Tawi-Tawi Mufti Abdulwahid Inju, the governor has urged the mufti to meet with his colleagues and finalize the decision to start the construction. 

    Inju said that the meeting among the ulama group of the Majlisul A’ala has been done and the decision is to adhere to the governor’s suggestion.

     Gov. Sahali also said the P7.5 million savings from the voluntary contributions of the government agencies and the people of Tawi-Tawi   is enough to start the initial stage of the mosque project and “as the project is on the process of construction, the people of Tawi-Tawi are expected to all join hands to finish the grand mosque project,” he stressed.

     He also committed to delegate the Provincial Engineers Office to lead in the construction to assure the project is properly carried according to its specification.

     As of press time, Governor Sahali is waiting for the final resolution of the Majlisul A’ala on the mosque project, which the provincial government will be spearheading through the request of the ulama group of Tawi-Tawi.

     The grand mosque project was conceptualized by the Majlisul A’ala about a decade ago and has aimed to raise the amount of P90 million to complete the project.  

     Sources say, the ulama group has already sought foreign aid, aside from the voluntary contribution of the people of Tawi-Tawi, the government agencies, and the private sectors to help attain the completion of the grand mosque project.

     Yet after a decade of waiting for huge funds to commence the project, only an amount of P7.5 from the voluntary contributions of the people of Tawi-Tawi is now ready to initiate the project, which Governor Toto Sahali is ardently taking part to funnel the construction upon the request of the Majlisul A’ala. 

    Among the government agencies that shared bigger amount of contributions include the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi, then under the able leadership of Governor Dick Sahali, the Mindanao State University, then under the chancellorship of Dean Eddie Alih, the Department of Public Works and Highways, with District Engineer Bensoud Ajihil at the helm, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, headed by Penro Jonel Moh. Monel.

     With the young Sahali at the helm of provincial leadership and committing support to the project through the request of the Majlisul A’ala, the probability of initiating the project start is near imagination.

     The fact that the young governor has accomplished the Batu-Batu Mosque when he was still mayor of that municipality, he would do the same with the grand mosque project  with the support of the constituents, as this benefits the religious creed of the people of Tawi-Tawi.