Sheikh Ahmad bin Haji Bashir Mohammed Shafi, الشيخ أحمد بن حاجي بشير محمد الشافي (January 1, 1919 – July 10, 1989) was a Filipino Muslim Aleem, former president and founder of the Agama Islami Society. Sheikh Ahmad was born on the 1st day of January 1919, in Miondas, Tamparan, Lanao del Sur Philippines.
Sheikh Ahmad received his first non-formal education from his father, and then later on studied at the School of Islam complete primary school in the city of Marawi. As a child, he was a school leader, a potential that made him prominently known, not only in the Philippines but more specific in the Islamic nations, during his lifetime.
Personal life
Sheikh Ahmad was married to Hadja Zainab, whom he had four sons: Monib, Said, Salahudden, Samra and a daughter: Sairah; and also to Hadja Aminah, whom he had a son: Mahdi and three daughters: Samiah, Saminah, Sarah. Both wives were kept in an adjacent houses at the same time as this polygamy practice is allowed in Islam.
Education in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
In 1951, Sheikh Ahmad Bashir traveled to the Hejaz to break preparatory education and further continued his education in Makkah or 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 Sacred Mosque.
Missionary work
Sheikh 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, Sheikh Ahmad Bashir, his devoted companions, and traditional group, founded the Agama Islam Society, after the establishment of the Shoura Council. His intention was to spread Islamic schools in all areas that are in need of such, to propagate Islamic principles, teachings, and beliefs among others. These institutions have reached 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 benevolent assistance of late Sheikh Esmail Laut Sarip and former Lanao del Sur Governor, Sultan sa Masiu, Hon. Mohammad Ali Dimaporo[5][6] for the exclusion of this land from military reservation pursuant toProclamation No. 2223 signed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency PresidentFerdinand E. Marcos.
- As President of the Agama Islam Islam, Sheikh Ahmad had been associated in various Islamic Associations in the Philippines, and also played a role in their creations.
- 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 had 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 had authored 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; under the financial auspices of his Excellency former King Khalid ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
- The establishment of the Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao
- The completed Maranao translation of Holy Quran was reviewed by a committee of Maranao Scholars headed by Sheikh 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, as Sheikh Ahmad Bashir was quoted in his bookHistory of Islam in the Philippines, written in Arabic, printed in 1964, who said by God's mercy: "The Agama Islam Society, an Islamic organization and its governing body is based on the Shura, called the Shura Council in application of the concept of two verses “who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation,” (Quran 42:38) “and consult them in the affairs.” (Quran 3:159)
Death
Despite the luxurious opportunities that have passed him financially, spiritually, politically, and academically, Sheikh Ahmad never grabbed these for his personal advantages. He died as poor man, without any single property in his possession or his bereaved family.
Sheikh Ahmad Bashir, may Allah have mercy on him, died peacefully in Iligan City, after succumbing to complicated diabetes diseases on Monday, 7th day of Dhul Hijjah 1409 AH, corresponding to July 10, 1989. His remains were buried in Marawi City, Philippines.
Left to right: Former Senator Domocao Alonto, Sheikh Ahmad, and former ARMM Governor Lininding Pangandaman representing Muslims in the Philippines to one of the Muslim World League conferences in 1982, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Sheikh Ahmad (Third from left) met His Excellency President Ferdinand E. Marcos at Malacañang Palace during the ratification of Proclamation No. 2223, the exclusion of around 10 hectares of land from military reservation for the benefits of the Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao.
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