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- EDD K. USMAN | X (Twitter): @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN – SciTech & Digital News
DUSIT THANI MANILA, Makati City (SDN) — In the unifying spirit of Ramadan, Islam’s holy month of fasting and intense worship, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Secretary Sheikh Sabuddin N. Abdurahim tendered here a Grand Iftar reception for the NCMF’s valued partners.
The Commission held the event on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, an annual traditional gathering for the agency’s valued partners that have been constant in their support, including ambassadors from member-countries’ embassies in the Philippines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
As the clock struck 6:07 p.m. the attendees broke their fast with “Khorma” (dates) which Islam’s Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), used to break his fast with for being considered an energy-giving food through its various nutrition, vitamins, and minerals.
Before the formal meal started, Sheikh Abdurahim led as imam the early evening Maghreb prayers joined in by ambassadors and other diplomats, as well as other dignitaries and other guests lucky to be present for the invitation-only yearly affair.
Observers noted that at no other time that a head of the then-Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) and now its successor the NCMF served as imam of a congregational prayers with diplomats and other dignitaries as members of the Jama’ah (group of worshipers). March 19 this year marked the first time, apparently, with the current NCMF head.
Abdurahim later told SDN – SciTech & Digital News that it was an honor and a privilege to led ambassadors and other dignitaries in a prayer, especially that it was during Ramadan, the holiest of the 12 Islamic months.
The VIPs included Turkiye Ambassador Niyazi Evren Akyol; Palestine Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas; Brunei Ambassador Megawati Manan; Malaysia Ambassador Dato’ Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony; Iraq Ambassador Khalid Ibrahim Mohammed Al-Hamam; Saudi Embasssy Chargé d’Affaires Abdullah S. Al-Shahri; Indonesia Embassy Counselor Tommy Parlagutan Butarbutar; United Arab Emirates Embassy Attaché Sultan Al-Thabahi; Libya Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mohammad K.A. Issa; Iran Embassy Cultural Attaché Abdolmajid Abolghasemi; Brazil Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Ruben Amaral; and Indonesian Embassy Political Internship Section Ms. Regina Dinda Asari.
Filipino dignitaries/government officials included Supreme Court Associate Justice Jaapar Dimaampao, Philippine Army Gen. Taharuddin P. Ampatuan, Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Zamzamin L. Ampatuan, Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Aliah Dimaporo, former Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bahnarim Guinomla, Col. Jameel Jaymalin (Ret.), UP Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS) College Secretary Prof. Darwin J. Absari, former NCMF Cultural Affairs Director Laman Piang, businessman Omar Guinomla, Bangsamoro Manila Liaison Office (BMLO) Staff Casmere Pangandaman, and many others.
No act of goodness escapes, or is too small for God’s attention
Among the NCMF officials present were Chief of Staff Atty. Hassanal Abdurahim, Deputy Executive Director Jehan-Jehan Lepail, Administrative Service Director Adzhar A. Albani, Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs (BMEA) Director Saleha Pangarungan Sacar, Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (BPE) Director Rahmatol M. Mamukid, Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs (BMCA) Director Benrajiv J. Kashim, South Luzon Regional Director Ceasar Maranda, CARAGA Regional Director Monaim Guro, Personnel Pilgrimage Operation Division Chief Zenodin M. Usudan, Human Resource Division Chief Ad-drin N. Abusaman, Cultural Affairs Division Chief Hanifa “Sawia” Naga Punut, Shari’ah Training and Education Division Chief Tananoray Macalandong, veteran EMCEE Hakeem Adiong Lomondot, among others.
After the Maghreb prayers, which signaled the breaking of the day’s fast at sunset, Abdurahim took to the podium for his brief remarks as he cited the holding of the “Grand Iftar for NCMF Valued Partners,” which he describes as “a gathering that truly embodies the spirit of Ramadan — a time for nurturing Amal, strengthening our bonds, and fostering unity.”
He cited the event’s theme that revolved around “Season for Nurturing Amal”, saying it carries deep significance. “Amal, which translates to good deeds or ‘action’, is the cornerstone of our faith and the foundation of our collective efforts.”
The NCMF CEO quoted the Qur’an, Islam’s eternal Holy Book, reminding the faithful in Surah Az-Zalzalah (99:7) that “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.”
He explained that the verse emphasizes that every act of goodness be it as small as atom will be noticed by Allah (SWT). “Even the tiniest deed — equivalent to the weight of an atom — will be seen, acknowledged, and rewarded on the Day of Judgment or in the eternal Hereafter or Akhirah.”
Abdurahim adds: “As we break our fast tonight, let us remember that it is NOT only through prayer and fasting that we nourish our souls, but also through our actions toward others — our partners, our communities, and our nation.”
Representing Ambassador Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura of the Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Deputy Chief of Mission Ruben Amaral told SDN in a message that he was entrusted to represent the ambassador in the Ramadan gathering.
Abdurahim reminds Grand Iftar attendees to pray for suffering Muslims across the world
He said the Brazilian ambassador “believes — along with me — that fostering our connections with the Muslim community is essential for gaining a deeper understanding of their interests and role in local society.”
Amaral said his extensive experience serving in Muslim-majority countries such as Syria, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia makes it a privilege for him to represent the Brazilian Embassy in what he described as a “significant event”.
“While I am not a Muslim, I hold my Musli0m brothers in high regard and genuinely appreciate the opportunity to engage with them,” he emphasizes as he extended his gratitude to the NCMF “for the delicious meals, and, most importantly, the chance to gain valuable insights into this vibrant community in the Philippines.”
Abdurahim, the NCMF head, pointed out in his remarks the Grand Iftar gathering is a celebration of what he describes as the “invaluable partnerships” that push the NCMF to move ahead
The expressed the Commission’s gratitude, noting their unwavering support, dedication, and collaborative spirit” which serve as “the bedrock of our shared vision of a resilient Muslim Filipino community living in dignity as productive and peace-building members of the Philippine society.”
“To you, our valued partners, joining us this evening, my sincerest gratitude for your untiring support. Your contributions have been instrumental in the Commission’s efforts to enhance the lives of Muslim Filipinos through various social protection, economic, and socio-cultural programs and initiatives — most notably our, our mayor program, the Hajj pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. May the Hajj 2025 operations be a success with your continued support,” he says.
He expressed confidence the NCMF’s continued partnership would result in greater milestones moving forward.
Meanwhile, he did not fail to remember the pain and suffering of Muslims in many parts of the world, which he says “is heart-breaking.
More SDN photographs:
He urged everyone to include in their duas (supplications) the embattled Palestinians in Gaza in Palestine, the stateless Rohingyas in Myanmar around a million of them forced to escape to Bangladesh, the detained Uyghurs in China, and all Islam believers who for years and years are facing unimaginable suffering.
“Their struggles remind us of our responsibility as an Ummah (global Muslim community), as a Muslim nation — to stand for justice, to raise awareness, and to extend whatever help we can, whether through humanitarian aid, advocacy, or sincere prayers,” Sheikh Abdurahim implores.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. appointed him as head of NCMF in March 2024 with two years term as secretary and four years as commissioner, with chance for re-appointment.
Since the Tawi-Tawi native’s assumption of office on April 1 last year he has already put in place various reforms which he promised to continue for the benefit of NCMF’s constituents. (♡)
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The author
EDD K. Usman, a native of Sub-Saharan Africa Buluan/Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, BARMM, college at UST, is a Manila-based journalist for over 40 years (33 years with Manila Bulletin), has five Media Awards (1 with University of the Philippines (UP) 2017 Science Journalism Award), covered and traveled over 40 times abroad), has contributed to Rappler, Business Mirror, former Manila-based Foreign Correspondent of Saudi Arabia newspapers Saudi Gazette and Riyadh Daily, and The Peninsula (Qatar newspaper), with 2008 East-West Center (EWC) Journalism Seminar in the United States, 2000 Executive IT Seminar in Seoul, South Korea, with three Silver Awards in Photography, writes Muslim and Current Affairs, Enterprise, Science, Tech, Products Launch, and virtually everything under Heaven. (@)