Saudi Arabia turns over 30 tons of premium dates to PH for Muslim community

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Embassy Chancery have turned over 30 tons of premium pressed dates to the Philippine government.

According to a Balitanghali report by Katrina Son on Tuesday, the dates will be distributed to the Muslim community in the Philippines through the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and the Philippine Red Cross. 

“This initiative reflects the Kingdom’s enduring push to extend goodwill and solidarity to brotherly and friendly nations,” H.E. Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Philippines, said during the turnover ceremony on Monday.

The dates were supposed to be distributed during the Ramadan season, but had been held back by delayed shipments.

Philippine authorities said that the distribution of the dates will be a big help to the Filipino Muslim community.

“Malaking tulong ang binibigay ng Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sa amin, sa mga dates, especially mga during Ramadan… Nagagamit talaga ng mga tao natin,” said National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Sec. Sabuddin Abdurahim.

(The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been providing us with massive help with these dates, especially during Ramadan… It is really used by our people.)

“Dito sa Manila, binibigay natin sa Quiapo, binibigay natin sa Taguig, sa Quezon City, marami tayong pinagbibigyan hanggang sa probinsya. Napakalaking bagay ito lalo na sa panahon na medyo hindi maganda, kulang ang pambili natin, makakadagdag ito,” added Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon.

(Here in Manila, we distribute it at Quiapo, and at Taguig, in Quezon City, and we distribute it to a lot of people even at the provinces. This is a big help especially in these times that aren’t too good, and we don’t have enough money, this can help.) —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/AOL, GMA News