Lanao del Sur’s ‘Mother of Education’ passes away after Islamic pilgrimage
MARAWI, Philippines – Dr. Norma Mangondato Sharief Al-Hadja, known as the “Mother of Education” in Lanao del Sur, passed away on Thursday, January 2, after she completed an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
She served as the regional chairperson and managing commissioner for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) from 1996 until 2019.
Sharief was widely recognized for her efforts in expanding educational opportunities in the Bangsamoro region through projects and partnerships with local and international institutions.
She founded the Philippine Muslim Teachers’ College (PMTC) in 2000, which has since become one of the most respected private higher education institutions (PHIEs) in Lanao del Sur, known for producing a number of licensed teachers each year.
The establishment of PMTC, where Sharief served as chief executive officer, paved the way for more colleges in Lanao del Sur.
Her children embodied her ideals by promoting professional education, and they organized a group of colleges providing access to quality education with specializations in fields such as professional education, health, law, and crime and justice, cementing her legacy in Lanao del Sur.
One of these institutions is the Lanao Central College Incorporated (LCCI), which offers free tuition. LCCI was founded in 2012 by her daughter, Dr. Bae Okile Mangondato Sharief, Al-Hadja, a philanthropist and another education champion in the Muslim-majority region.
Bae Okile’s late brother, Agakhan Sharief, was a prominent figure in Marawi City who actively participated in demonstrations to promote democratic rights for his fellow Moros. He played a role during the 2017 Marawi Siege, negotiating with the Daesh-inspired Maute group, which resulted in a temporary ceasefire that allowed the rescue of hundreds of civilians.
Agakhan also served as president of Khadijah Mohammad Islamic Academy (KMIA), a sister school of PMTC.
Sharief had six children and was married to Alimatar Sawasa Sharief Al-Hadja. She was the daughter of the late General Diamongan Kudaöng Mangondato Al-Hadja and Somanggibo Tomabilang Al-Hadja. Her family hailed from Masiu and Butig, Lanao del Sur.
She completed her Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, shortly before passing away due to liver cirrhosis. She had been hospitalized at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital in Jeddah.
In keeping with Islamic burial traditions, Sharief was buried in Makkah on Friday, January 3, a day after her death.
“Norma believed that education is the great equalizer, and no one should be deprived of it because of poverty,” said Nasser Salih Sharief in a Facebook post.
He said Sharief was passionate about streamlining the history of Iranun and their arts and culture, as part of her efforts to bring the Moro story into the national narrative.
“She was passionate about rehabilitating Iranun history, culture, and arts, and she supported efforts to bring the ‘Moro’ into the national dialogue,” he added.
Over the years, Sharief worked on integrating Islamic education into curricula, emphasizing the significance of Islamic principles alongside Western studies. This can be seen in the schools she helped establish, where students are largely accustomed to the ways of Islam.
“Dr. Norma Mangondato Sharief’s legacy of service and dedication will forever remain in our hearts,” said Jenan Lawi Pangandaman in a Facebook post, remembering the legacy of Dr. Sharief.
“As a former CHED Commissioner, she tirelessly worked to uplift the education sector and touched countless lives with her wisdom and compassion,” said Pangandaman.
She said Sharief inspired many students to excel and strive to provide scholarships to those in need.
“Dr. Sharief was a person who could not rest unless she was helping others. Now that she is no longer with us, we honor her remarkable contributions and the lasting impact she has made,” Pangandaman said. – Rappler.com