Neo Catalyst

Advantages for Muslim expatriate working in Muslim countries  By Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano For a Muslim Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) like me to be working in a Muslim country like Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and State of Qatar is gratifying and a great blessing from Allāh. Simply because these are Muslim countries and I’m a Muslim. In these countries, I find it so convenient to practice my way of life as a believer of the Islamic faith. Al-Fanar Islamic Cultural Center is one of the most widely known architectural landmarks in Doha, Qatar. In this wedding-cake shaped building, non-Muslim visitors are offered extended as well as crash-courses on the Islamic faith. It also offers a variety of educational, yet unforgettable, activities, such as exhibitions, tours of the cultural center, visits to the mosque, Arabic language courses and the unique opportunity to attend the khutbah (Friday sermon) in English. — Adriana Paramo, AFAR Local Expert, Doha, Qatar. Photo by Gamson Jr Mawallil

MONA, one of the greatest women, succumbs to COVID-19 By Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano Families, loved ones, students, and colleagues both local and abroad of Ustaza Taiba "Mona" Sakaluran Aiyub, one of the renowned Tausug-Banguingui Islamic teachers in Zamboanga City, are flabbergasted and saddened by her unexpected demise on May 19, 2021. His brother, Professor Alih Sakaluran Aiyub, Secretary General of the Ulama Council of the Philippines, announced on his Facebook account that his beloved sister had died. She was 62.  Accordingly, on May 14, 2021, Friday, just a day after Eid’l Fitr 1442H, she was admitted to a hospital in Zamboanga City. On May 19, 2021, Wednesday, she succumbed to COVID-19. Alhamdu Lillāhi, she was still able to reach and fast the blessed month of Ramadhān 1442H, the last and final Ramadhān of her life.  His brother Alih narrated that Ka’ Dayang was still able to pray Eid at home. However, because she already had experienced some of the symptoms of COVID-1