Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-rNH
Left photo: Ambassador Hisham Al-Qahtani with Sen. Robin “Abdul Aziz” Padilla. Right photo: with Iranian Ambassador Ali Reza Tootoochian. (All photographs by SDN — SciTech and Digital News)
By EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, Manila — The top diplomat of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud in the Philippines broke fast with Muslim and Christian guests on March 28, 2023.
Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ambassador Hisham Al-Qahtani and his Deputy Chief of Mission Khalid Al-Hathy (right photo). (Credit: Hameed Al-Shammari)
Ambassador Hisham bin Sultan A. Al-Qahtani tendered the “iftar”, or the meal for breaking Ramadan fast at sunset which he hosted here at the embassy in Makati City, Metro Manila.
Al-Qahtani had many foreign and Filipino guests at his reception, among them, Nigerian Ambassador Madam Folakemi I. Akinleye, Iranian Ambassador Ali Reza Tootoochian, Sen. Robinhood “Abdual Aziz” Padilla, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Secretary/CEO Atty. Guiling “Gene” A. Mamondiong, Presidential Adviser on Muslim Affairs Almarim C. Tillah, Lanao del Norte Rep. Khalid Q. Dimaporo, NCMF Commissioner Yusoph Mando, Social Security System (SSS) Commissioner Bai Norhata Alonto and her Chief of Staff Camar B. Maruhom, Jr., Bai Jamalliah “Jam” D. Disomimba, NCMF Consultant Abdul Hanan Tago, Dimnatang Radia of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), retired Philippine National Police (PNP) Colonel Ebra M. Moxsir, and other foreign diplomats and guests from the Muslim Filipino community.
Right photo: Lanao del Norte Rep. Khalid Q. Dimaporo and NCMF Consultant Abdul Hanan Tago.
“Iftar” marks the breaking of the holy month of Ramadan fast at sunset every day for 30 days. Fasting in Islam requires abstaining from food, drinks, smoking, and sex from dawn to dusk. All Muslims from puberty are obliged to perform the religious task.
“Sawm” or the fasting in Ramadan is the third pillar of Islam. The others are Shahaddah (Profession of Faith), Salah (Five Daily Prayers), Zakat (Obligatory Charity), and Hajj, the Pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The NCMF’s Mamondiong lauded Al-Qahtani for hosting the Ramadan dinner reception, saying he welcomed the act which brought together Muslims and Christians in an atmosphere of brotherhood, understanding, and respect.
Mamondiong added that what made the occasion more significant was that it was done during the Islamic holy month when believers of Islam strive to bring themselves closer to God.
“We, all of humanity, descended from Adam. We are all brothers with different faiths, cultures, and traditions. But we are all one in striving for peace, harmony, and understanding.
“Thank you His Excellency Ambassador Hisham Al-Qahtani for bringing us all in together to renew friendships and meet new friends,” Mamondiong said.
Hosting iftar has been a tradition among the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) through their diplomatic missions in the Philippines. (/)