Mahid Daluma, administrator of Madrasah Al-Hidaya Magnao Al-Islamiyah Inc., participates in a capacity-building workshop under the Madaris for Peace and Resilience (MPR) Project implemented by ECOWEB with support from GCERF.
Nestled in the peaceful community of Dulag, Iligan City, Madrasah Al-Hidaya Magnao Al-Islamiyah Inc. has long stood as a humble center of learning built on faith, volunteerism, and the community’s shared aspiration to educate the next generation in Islamic values and peace. For many years, the madrasah operated with limited facilities, scarce instructional materials, and no steady source of financial support. Most of its resources came from community contributions and the generosity of individuals who believed in its mission.
Its teachers and administrators served with unwavering dedication — often without pay — guided only by their commitment to nurturing children in both faith and good character.
“Noon, bago pa dumating ang MPR, simple at limitado lang ang kalagayan ng aming madrasah” (Before the MPR Project came, our madrasah was very simple and limited), recalled Mahid Daluma, the madrasah administrator. “Karamihan sa aming kagamitan ay galing lang sa community efforts at donasyon. Wala pa kaming sapat na pasilidad, kulang ang materyales sa pagtuturo, at walang malinaw na koordinasyon sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno.”
(Most of our equipment came from community efforts and donations. We didn’t have enough facilities, lacked teaching materials, and had no proper coordination with government agencies.)
Things began to change when the Madaris for Peace and Resilience (MPR) Project, implemented by ECOWEB, Inc. with support from GCERF, came into their lives. Through a series of capacity-building trainings, institutional registration support, and inter-madrasah coordination activities, the madrasah found direction and structure.
With MPR’s guidance, they successfully registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) — milestones that gave them legal identity and credibility as a recognized institution of learning.
Today, Madrasah Al-Hidaya Magnao Al-Islamiyah Inc. stands proudly as the official representative of all madrasahs in Iligan City in the Local School Board (LSB) — a testament to how far they have come.
“Napakalaking karangalan at responsibilidad ang maging kinatawan ng mga madrasah sa Local School Board” (It is a great honor and responsibility to represent all madrasahs in the Local School Board), said Mahid. “Ang pagiging registered institution ay hindi lamang titulo kundi simbolo ng pagkilala at pagtitiwala ng pamahalaan sa aming adbokasiya.” (Being a registered institution is not just a title, but a symbol of recognition and trust from the government in our advocacy.)
With this recognition, the madrasah now hopes to push for a Local Madrasah Support Program from the Iligan City local government unit — one that will provide assistance for facilities, instructional materials, and honoraria for ustadz and ustadzah. They also envision the passing of a Local Ordinance on Peace and Religious Education to promote interfaith dialogues, cultural exchanges, and youth activities that foster unity and understanding among Iligan’s diverse communities.
The madrasah likewise hopes for more capacity-building opportunities for teachers, particularly in peace education, child protection, and teaching methodologies aligned with the MATATAG (Solid) Curriculum of the Department of Education.
“Dahil sa MPR, mas naging organisado ang sistema ng aming madrasah, mas nakilala kami ng lokal na pamahalaan, at mas nagkaroon kami ng direksyon para sa kapayapaan at edukasyon ng kabataan,” Mahid shared. “Ngayon, alam naming hindi na kami nag-iisa. Bahagi na kami ng mas malaking layunin — ang bumuo ng mapayapa, edukado, at maunlad na komunidad.”
(Because of the MPR Project, our madrasah became more organized, recognized by the local government, and more focused on peace and youth education. Now we know we are not alone — we are part of a greater mission to build a peaceful, educated, and progressive community.)
From a humble, under-resourced school once sustained only by faith and community effort, Madrasah Al-Hidaya Magnao Al-Islamiyah Inc. has grown into a recognized leader in madrasah education and peace-building. Its journey is a living testament that with empowerment, collaboration, and the spirit of service, madaris can become strong partners in building a peaceful and educated society.
By Aisah P. Macabuat
Edited by Kin Barkly Tibang
