History was made in Basilan’s Ramadan celebration as the First Basilan 5 Pillars of Islam Quiz Show formally opened its elimination rounds on February 20–21 at the People’s Capitol, Basilan Government Center.
The landmark initiative forms part of the official Ramadan program of the Provincial Government of Basilan under the leadership of the People’s Governor, Mujiv S. Hataman—further reinforcing the province’s commitment to faith-centered governance, Islamic education, and community unity during the sacred month. Held every evening after Taraweeh prayers, the competition transformed the People’s Capitol into a vibrant center of faith, knowledge, and unity.
A total of 16 Madaris from all over Basilan gathered for the elimination round, bringing together some of the brightest young minds in Islamic education to compete in a rigorous test of knowledge on the five foundational pillars of Islam—Shahada (Faith), Salah (Prayer), Zakat (Charity), Sawm (Fasting), and Hajj (Pilgrimage).
The 5 Pillars of Islam Quiz Show is an initiative of Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman. Six years ago, her administration introduced the 5 Pillars of Islam program as part of its broader commitment to values formation and spiritual development.
The concept originated from an Islamic board game centered on the Five Pillars—designed to help families learn together in an engaging and interactive way. Recognizing its strong educational potential, Mayor Dadah elevated the idea into a live, large-scale quiz show format, effectively transforming a household learning tool into a province-wide platform for Islamic education.
What began as a local initiative aimed at strengthening Islamic literacy among the youth has now evolved into a historic province-wide competition, uniting Madaris across Basilan in a shared celebration of faith and scholarship, especially during the sacred month of Ramadan.
Conducted in the spirit of Ramadan, the quiz show serves not merely as a contest but as a purposeful platform to deepen understanding of Islamic teachings and the core principles of the Five Pillars, promote healthy academic engagement and excellence among Madaris, and inspire young learners to explore Islam through an interactive and dynamic gameplay format that families can watch, learn from, and enjoy together. At the same time, the initiative serves as an effective avenue for fostering broader awareness and understanding of Islam among both young Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Over two nights of elimination rounds, participating Madaris underwent structured competition designed to rigorously assess their knowledge, accuracy, and teamwork. From the original 16 competing teams, only the winning Madaris advanced to the next stage.
The competition continues with the Semi-Finals on February 27, followed by the much-awaited Grand Finals on February 28, again at the Basilan Government Center in Sta. Clara, Lamitan City, after Taraweeh prayers.
With significant prizes and provincial pride at stake, the upcoming rounds are expected to draw even greater enthusiasm and support from communities across Basilan.
More than a competition, the First Basilan 5 Pillars of Islam Quiz Show stands as a milestone event—symbolizing how faith-based initiatives, when sustained through visionary leadership, can cultivate knowledge, unity, and excellence among the next generation. (Words by M. Lim and Photos by K. Evardo, CIO)
