Mindanao | The Grand Mosque of Cotabato City - the 2nd largest in Southeast Asia

Cotabato City is a place full of history and stories. One of the oldest societies in the Philippines, Cotabato City is an independent megacity forcefully located in the capital of Bangsamoro Region with a population of 325,079 people in the 2020 Census.

From Kidapwan City, we traveled to Cotabato City for an important task. It took us over 3 hours to drive by private car. On our second day, we went for a community visit before going to the neighboring town of Datu Odin Sinsuat. It so happen that we passed the Grand Mosque of Cotabato City, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque.

The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque is located in barangay Kalangan in Cotabato City and is said to be the largest Mosque in the Philippines and second only to the Istiqlal Mosque in Indonesia. It has a capacity that can accommodate 15,000 people.

I feel sad while looking at the Mosque compound. This house of prayer have been closed a while since the Covid19 affects the country. We ask the care taker if there is a chance to get inside the mosque and granted. 

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque was erected in 2011 which is maturity funded by the Sultan of Brunei using his particular plutocrat to help the arising Muslim population in the City. It was locally designed by a local armature firm with an impressive mosque design that features the largest gold polls adorned with the crescent moon on the tip.


HOW TO GET THERE

From Manila, reserved a flight going to Cotabato City (Awang Airport)

This airport will soon open a flight from Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Sulu to fasten the connectivity of the Bangsamoro capital within BASULTA Area.

From Cotabato City

To reach the Mosque, ride a jeepney from Awang bound to Sinsuat Avenue in Barangay Kalangan also hire a single motorcycle (habal-habal) to reach the Grand Mosque. The round trips typically brings 70 to 100 pesos.

From Kidapawan City by private auto

Head northeast on Davao-Cotabato Rd/ Kidapawan-Allah Jct Rd/ Quezon Blvd toward Lapu-Lapu St then Continue to follow Davao-Cotabato Rd for 23.8 km

At the cloverleaf, take the 2nd exit and stay on Davao-Cotabato Rd .52.9 km. Continue onto Pan-Philippine Hwy/ AH26 for 31.5 km. then, Turn left for 1.2 km 

Turn left onto Quezon Ave. then, Turn left onto Shariff Aguak - Cotabato City Rd/Sinsuat Ave for 4.9 km

Turn right onto Tamontaka Bubong Road the Grand Mossque is on the left.

Location: Cotabato City, Maguindanao, Philippines

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