MAKATI CITY- A turnover ceremony of dates from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Manila to the Philippine Government and the Filipino people was held at the embassy in Makati City.
Charge d’Affaires Abdullah Saad Alshahri of the Embassy welcomed and thanked their guests and visitors. He said that this donation is a form of sharing. It is a special gift to the people of the Philippines. Accordingly, about 105 countries worldwide benefited from this donation from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in addition to food security, electricity, water, human needs, and medicines that it gives through the mercy and generosity of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulazis Al Saud.
“KSA is the largest donor to the UNITED NATION. We are everywhere”, Alsahri added.
National Commission on Muslim Filipinos NCMF Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim personally attended the ceremony of the donated 25 tons of dates fruits attended and witnessed by Department of Foreign Affairs- Office of the Middle East and African Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Dinno Oblena, Philippine Red Cross Assistant Secretary-General for Program Development and Services and Director for Blood Services Dr. Christie Monina Nalupta and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, led by Mr. Abdulrahman A. Almogren together with Mr. Mohammed I. Alhamar.
Umrah
Alshahri also expressed his gratefulness to the Muslim-Filipino community for their continuous visit to the kingdom through Umrah.
Hajj
When asked about the preparations for the upcoming 2025 annual Muslim pilgrimage worldwide, Alshahri emphasized their top-notch preparations “Always perfect.” Accordingly, King Salman always wanted Hajj to be their utmost priority and to make it as easy as possible to the people.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
KSA plans to create a thriving and sustainable economy where everyone has the opportunity to be successful, have a vibrant society, and a dream nation.
As of 2024, ongoing infrastructure projects are rising in the said country and currently welcomes more and more tourists, Muslims and Non-Muslims.
The said dates are now up to the NCMF’s schedule when to distribute it to its beneficiaries, a timely gift this coming Ramadan to the Muslim-Filipino communities. | ulat ni Princess Habiba Sarip-Paudac
