Sheikh Ahmad Bashir

Personal life

Ahmad was married to Hadja Zainab, with whom he had four sons: Monib, Said, Salahudden, Samra and a daughter: Sairah; and concurrently also to Hadja Aminah, with whom he had a son: Mahdi and three daughters: Samiah, Saminah, Sarah.

Early childhood

Ahmad received his first non-formal education from his father, and then studied at the School of Islam complete primary school in the city of Marawi.

Education in Mecca

In 1951, Ahmad Bashir traveled to the Hejaz to continue his education in Mecca. He joined the Al-Falah School in Makkah, a religious science school till he completed his studies in the year 1953, and later joined the Al-Soltiyyah School in the Grand Mosque also in Makkah. He was awarded a degree in Islamic Sciences, which was considered at that time the highest religious education at the Mosque.

Missionary work

Ahmad Bashir went back to the Philippines after completing his studies. At first, he taught at an Islamic School in Marawi City. He helped created some of the schools in various communities with complete and organized conjunctions with some of his peers, colleagues throughout the years till 1955.

In 1956 Ahmad Bashir and companions founded the Agama Islam Society, after the establishment of the Shoura Council. The Society founded Islamic schools, ultimately having 363 branches in all regions of the Philippines, visited by more than 5,000 students in the academic year 1986-1987.

Distinguished achievements and activities

In 1972, the Agama Islam Society transferred Ma’had Mindanao Al-Arabie Al-Islamie to Darussalam, Matampay, Marawi City, as main campus through the assistance of Sheikh Esmail Laut Sarip and former Lanao del Sur Governor, Sultan sa Masiu, Hon. Mohammad Ali Dimaporo for the exclusion of this land from military reservation pursuant to Proclamation No. 2223 signed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

As president of the Agama Islam Islam, Ahmad had been associated in various Islamic Associations in the Philippines, and also played a role in their creation. He was president of the National Union of Arab-Islamic Schools in the Philippines. President of the local Council of Mosques in the Philippines. He attended international conferences with a theme in Islamic mission including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Malaysia, Pakistan, Qatar, Indonesia, Tunisia, Egypt & Others (from 1381 to 1406 Hijri).

He wrote thirteen books, including Islamic, Arab, and Muslim history in the Philippines. The establishment of now defunct Saudi and Philippines Publishing Center in 1980, Parañaque, Metro Manila, financed by King Khalid ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud. The establishment of the Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao in 1987. The completion of Maranao translation of the Quran (Islamic holy book) was reviewed by a committee of Maranao Scholars headed by Ahmad Bashir.

Agama Islam Society

The basis of the creation of the society was through consultative council, which some academician were from Marawi City, the Philippines under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmad Bashir year 1375H – 1955G. This Council established the society to propagate Islam in 1956.

Death

Ahmad did not use his opportunities for his personal advantage, and died poor, without owning or bequeathing any property.

He died in Iligan City from complications of diabetes on the 7th day of Dhul Hijjah 1409 AH (July 10, 1989). His remains were buried in Marawi City, Philippines.