Said Ahmad Basher ( ; August 3, 1951April 3, 2024)Imam Council of the Philippines. (2024-04-07). . retrieved April 14, 2024Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) - Philippines. (2024-04-03). . retrieved April 14, 2024 is a Filipino Islamic scholar, an active Islamic preacher, broadcaster, lecturer and Islamic consultant.Admin. Directory of Experts/Resource Persons - Islam the Religion. Muslim Mindanao.Ph, retrieved May 9, 2011 He is the current chair of the Imam Council of the Philippines.Sunsetgirl. (2010-09-10). Eidel Fitr celebration in the Philippines . Allvoices.com/Philippines, retrieved April 22, 2011 A Muslim leader and Imam, who tends to the community development, social needs, and spiritual guidance of Filipino Muslims, specifically those living in the Islamic communities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces in Luzon.
Bashar was chairman of Integrated Movement Access on Moonsighting (IMAM), an organization that discusses moon sightings for the purpose of completing Muslim rituals during the months of Ramadan and Dhu al-Hijjah. He was a member of reputed international moonsighting group Moonsighting Committee Worldwide (MCW).Admin. (2011-02-10). MCW Members. Moonsighting Committee Worldwide, retrieved April 25, 2011
Said is known to be grateful and different even dissimilar in faith.Julmunir I. Jannaral. (2011-07-26). University employees to get ‘Ramadan bonus’ . The Manila Times, retrieved July 27, 2011 His active participation in various groups nationwide made him recognized in many organizations. He was quoted saying that the "ulama conference would resolve the problem of disunity among the ranks of the ulama" during the recent first National Ulama Consultative Conference;Julmunir I. Jannaral. (2012-02-08). Ulama seek stronger ties with consultative conference . The Manila Times, retrieved April 19, 2011 which was held in Cebu organized by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. He was also one of the 32 of the country's top Islamic clerics (ulama) who support the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III's peace processes with Muslim rebel organizations.Edd K. Usman. (2012-02-10). 32 top ulamas back gov't peace initiatives with MILF, MNLF. The Manila Bulletin, retrieved April 19, 2011
Personal life and education In 1951, Said was born in Makkah, to Ahmad Bashir and Zinab of the Maranao ethnic group. He was the second child and son among five children of Ahmad with his first wife. Because of his passion for the Islamic way of life, like his father, Said decided to pursue a bachelor's degree in Islamic PropagationEdd K. Usman. (2010-11-16). Muslims pay tribute to Abraham. The Manila Bulletin, retrieved April 22, 2011 at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, from which he graduated in 1994.
Death Speculation surrounding Said's health began circulating in early March 2024 after he was unable to actively join the moon sighting at the beginning of Ramadan in 2024; however, his friend retired Police Colonel Ebra Moxir said his illness was due to old age and heart problems.RP1 Radio Pilipinas. (2024-04-04). . retrieved April 14, 2024
Social and missionary Islamic viewpoint Said adheres to the Sunni branch of Islam. He is an anti-abortionNiña Corpuz. (2011-07-15). Archbishop to PNoy: Be like your mom, junk RH. ABS-CBN News, retrieved August 1, 2011InterAksyon (2011-08-19). Religious leaders debate RH bill on 'Hamon sa Pagbabago' . The InterAksyon Website, retrieved October 24, 2011 and a peace advocate. He denounces terrorism and describes violence in every form as "un-Islamic" and says that a real and true Muslim does not hurt innocent people.Roy Mabasa. (2010-08-06). US, Christians, Muslims condemn Zambo blast. The Manila Bulletin, retrieved August 1, 2011
Interfaith dialogue In 2005, a group of Maranao entrepreneurs living in Manila elected Aleem Said as vice-president of the Manila Muslim Chamber of Commerce, though, he is not involved in any such businesses. In 2010, Said, being a peace advocator for more than a decade, successfully convened the Philippines Interfaith Leaders Forum; an innovative step he perceived as an interfaith initiative expert,Admin. Directory of Experts/Resource Persons - Interfaith Initiatives. Muslim Mindanao.Ph, retrieved May 9, 2011 during his tenure as a member of the board of directors at Peacemakers' Circle Foundation.Admin. (February 2007). Our Current Board of Trustees . The Peacemakers' Circle Foundation, Inc.Blogspot.com, retrieved April 19, 2011 The Peacemakers’ Circle was founded in July 1998 by Marites Guingona-Africa,Admin. (February 2007). How We Came To Be . The Peacemakers' Circle Foundation, Inc.Blogspot.com, retrieved May 29, 2011Admin. (2009-2-21). Interfaith Dialogue, Reconciliation & Relationship Building. Solidarity Philippines Australia Network (SPAN), retrieved May 29, 2011 niece of former Vice-president Teofisto Guingona. He is actively involved in interfaith dialogue, whether in the private or public sector.Alexis Romero. (2010-05-04). . The Philippine Star, retrieved July 18, 2011 He's quoted saying “Our collective prayers are the best thing that we can do as a nation to bolster the diplomatic efforts and representation of our government before the Government of China to save the lives of the three Filipinos,” as a response to the President's appeal during the wake of the conviction of jailed workers.Genalyn Kabiling, Edd K. Usman. (2011-02-20). Palace assures aid for other jailed OFWs. The Manila Bulletin, retrieved July 18, 2011
Said also served as a spiritual consultant during the recent National Forum on Zakat held at the SMX Convention Center. Paying zakat is one of Five Pillars of Islam. He explains that Quran has named the eight kinds of persons who should receive zakah, such as the Masako (destitute); fuqaraa (the needy or poor); amil' Zakah (the alms collectors); VI sabi `Tillah (in the path of God); gharimun (people burdened with debt); ibn as-Sabi l (the wayfarers); Riyadh (people in bondage or slavery); and mu'Allaf (those who have inclined towards Islam).Edd K. Usman. (2011-01-06). Saudi cites relationship with country . The Manila Bulletin, retrieved April 19, 2011 He also gives spiritual guidance on every before, during, and after of the two Eids. In Ramadan, he cited the importance of adhering to the Sunnah of Islam's prophet.Edd K. Usman. (2010-08-09). Ramadan: Muslims start moon-sighting Tuesday night. The Manila Bulletin, retrieved April 19, 2011 He also emphasized that Eid’l Fitr was also a day for visiting relatives and friends and for making reconciliation.Julmunir I. Jannaral. (2009-09-21). President Calls For Understanding On Eid’l Fitr . The Manila Times, retrieved April 19, 2011 In Dhu al-Hijjah, Aleem Said explained that Eid al-Adha symbolizes to the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail as commanded by Allah, it represents the prayer for peace not only among Muslims but in unity and love of mankind that worship God. The Eid means festival and adha means sacrifice.Pilipino Star Ngayon. (2007-12-19). . PhilStar.com, retrieved April 19, 2011
TV Appearance Year Network Program Role Other notes 2011 ABS-CBN Patrol ng Pilipino Himself – Guest Episode dated August 30 2011 TV5 News5 Himself – Guest Episode dated August 21 2011 GMA GMA News TV Himself – Guest Live interview (dated August 30)Video (2011-08-30). DB: Manila police, nagdeploy sa Quirino Grandstand at Quiapo kaugnay ng Eid'l Fitr. GMA News, retrieved November 13, 2011
See also Sheikh Ahmad Bashir, founder of Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao
References
External links
Imam Council of the Philippines, Inc. Moonsighting Committee Worldwide The Peacemakers' Circle Foundation Inc. Directory of Experts/Resource Persons - Islam the Religion