Iligan City’s first dedicated Muslim prayer room in a shopping mall was inaugurated and opened to the public on August 15.
Located on the third level of Robinsons Iligan, the facility offers a space for both employees and visitors to perform their prayers
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by local officials and Muslim community leaders, including Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao, Princess Almerah Lucman, Provincial Director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Satellite Office-Iligan, Sagar Pagiorongan, President of the Bangon Marawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Imam Ismail Ibrahim.
“We are here to show our full support for the opening of this prayer room. This is the first time here in Iligan that a major establishment, especially a mall, has opened and accommodated this important need. It is not only the City Government that is open to participation for inclusivity, but also Robinsons Malls. I am happy to see this happening in our city,” Mayor Siao said.
Muslim leaders expressed their gratitude for the facility and urged the local government to pass an ordinance requiring large commercial establishments and schools with sufficient space to provide prayer rooms, citing the new facility as a model.
“We believe that malls are more than just spaces to shop, they are community spaces where everyone should feel welcome, valued and respected. The prayer room stands as a testament to our commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing spaces that honor and embrace our diverse community,” Danny Camat, Regional Operations Manager said.
On Facebook, many also thanked the shopping center for the initiative.
“Alhamdulillah! salamat po,” a Facebook user commented.
“Thank you Robinsons Iligan. This is a great help to us, muslims who are always patroninzing your mall. You are now one step ahead of all the malls in iligan,” another said.
This is the second Muslim prayer room opened by the company after the first in General Santos in 2023.
—Rosette Adel