Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), including Muslim Filipinos, in the Kingdom have lauded the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) at the Malacanang Palace on Thursday and thanked Saudi Arabia for its support.
“We are happy indeed,” said Abdulgafar Dimalutang, Magdalo-Riyadh Chapter chairman. “Generations of Filipino Muslims have been looking forward to this. It enables Filipino Muslims to chart their own destiny. This peace deal had been made possible because of President Benigno Aquino III.”
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah attended the signing of the landmark peace agreement. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak also attended the historic event.
More than 1,000 people filled the expansive tent set up along Malacanang grounds.
Usman Pangandaman Salimbo, an OFW Congress member from the southern Philippines, said the peace deal “is a dream come true.”
“The signing of the peace deal marked the culmination of 17 years of peace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government,” said Salimbo, who served as mayor of the town of Masiu in Lanao del Sur from 1988 to 1992.
He said it would pave the way for a new Bangsamoro autonomous political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and will address various issues in the area, such as poverty.
He also expressed confidence in the assertion of Teresita Quintos Deles, presidential adviser to the peace process, that “there would be no more war” with the signing of the deal.
“No more war, no more children scampering for safety, no more evacuees, no more poverty, no more fear,” she was quoted as saying.
“The new dawn following the signing of the historic agreement will ensure that no family will be forced to drive their children away for fear of being marred or wounded by conflict,” said Deles.
Ely Mua, chairman of the United OFW, who comes from Zamboanga City, also expressed happiness over the CAB signing. The United OFW has 2,000 members in the Saudi capital.
“We will keep our fingers crossed that after years of intense fighting between the MILF and government troops, peace will finally reign on Mindanao island. We are now hoping that the Philippine Congress will craft a Bangsamoro basic law,” he said.
“We share our aspiration that basic law, which the government has committed to certify as urgent legislation, will truly embody the aspirations of the Bangsamoro and usher the region toward greater economic, social and cultural activity,” he said.
Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and MILF Chairman Murad Ebrahim signed the peace agreement.
Filipinos hail signing of Bangsamoro peace deal
Filipinos hail signing of Bangsamoro peace deal
Saudi center launches pavilion for children during Environment Week
- Center’s pavilion, in Riyadh’s Granada Square, carries the slogan Know Your Environment
- It features activities for children promoting environmental preservation and protecting air, water and soil from pollution
RIYADH: The National Center for Environmental Compliance is hosting an interactive pavilion for children to mark Environment Week 2024, which began last Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The center’s pavilion, in Riyadh’s Granada Square, carries the slogan “Know Your Environment.” It features activities for children promoting environmental preservation and protecting air, water and soil from pollution.
Young visitors are first met with a moving knowledge wall containing several tips placed on hanging cubes, each decorated with a color and information, or a picture.
Children can then move to the memory board to register as honorary members charged with protecting the environment. A part of the pavilion is dedicated to rest and entertainment, including cube puzzles and other games.
The center offers specialized scientific workshops for adults during Environment Week, addressing topics including land degradation.
The Kingdom is set to host COP16 in December this year, enhancing cooperation between the 197 signatory countries of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and searching for ways rehabilitate millions of hectares of degraded land.
The center’s presence in Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar and Taif aims to boost community awareness of environmental issues through a range of activities and events.
Saudi anti-narcotics authority arrests Filipino national in Eastern Region
- Authorities call on public to report suspicious activities
RIYADH: Saudi anti-narcotics police arrested a Filipino national for selling hashish and methamphetamine in the Eastern Region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested the man and referred him to the Public Prosecution.
Authorities have called on the public to report suspicious or illegal drug-related activities by calling the number 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and Al-Sharqiyah, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.
The Drug Control office of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control can be contacted on the number 995 or via the email address [email protected]
Riyadh schools switch to remote learning as stormy weather continues
- City of Unaizah in Qassim province sees record levels of rainfall
RIYADH: Schools in Saudi Arabia’s capital region Riyadh were instructed to switch to remote learning on Wednesday as storms and heavy rains continued to lash the country.
The Ministry of Education said it had taken the decision “based on reports received from the National Center of Meteorology and in the interest of everyone’s safety.”
Lessons would be conducted using the Madrasati and other e-learning platforms, it said.
The rain continued to fall in Riyadh on Wednesday, while the temperature ranged from 17-25 degrees Celsius.
Unaizah, a city in the central region of Qassim, saw its highest ever rainfall on Tuesday night.
Abdullah Al-Misnad, vice president of the Saudi Weather and Climate Society, said on X that “70 mm of rain fell … in just 60 minutes, half the annual average.”
Over the course of the night, the city saw 94.4 mm of rain, while Buraidah, also in Al-Qassim saw 17.5 mm, he said in the post, which was accompanied by images of flooded streets.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense on Wednesday issued warnings and safety instructions as the Kingdom braces for more heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
“The Civil Defense calls for caution … due to the inclement weather situation witnessed in Qassim, Baha, Northern Borders, Jouf, Jazan, Asir, Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh regions,” it said.
The authority appealed to people to “stay away from valleys and waterlogged areas” and said “your safety is our goal.”
The National Center of Meteorology said on Monday that moderate to heavy rainfall would affect many parts of the country through Friday.
On Tuesday it said there was likely to be “higher than average rainfall” throughout the month of May, with Makkah, Jazan, Asir, Baha, Eastern Province and the Riyadh region likely to be the worst affected.
Saudi Heritage Commission, Japan’s Kanazawa University join forces on archeological surveys
DUBAI: The Saudi Heritage Commission and Japan’s Kanazawa University are to collaborate on archeological work at two prehistoric sites.
The scientific cooperation agreement, which was signed on Tuesday, relates to survey work at Jouf and Tabuk.
It highlights the commission’s commitment to expanding its field work and archeological surveys across the Kingdom and enhances its scientific partnerships with specialist universities and centers around the world.
The strategic agreement will involve scientific field studies, expanding the dissemination of survey and excavation results, and attracting distinguished scientific expertise. It will also mean more scientific data and reports to help track pastoral patterns at both sites.
The signing, which took place in Riyadh, was attended by Saudi Heritage Commission CEO Jasser Al-Harbash and Iwai Fumio, the Japanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi students explore intersection of science and art
- Exhibition organized by the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts runs until May 2
JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts has launched an exhibition in Jeddah showcasing 25 artworks exploring the link between science and art.
The second annual exhibition organized by the arts society, in collaboration with the Biology Club at King Abdulaziz University, was opened in the presence of Mohammed Al-Subaih, director-general of the organization, Mona Al-Harbi, vice dean of the college of science, local artists, and parents.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The Sci-Art exhibition was organized by the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in collaboration with the Biology Club at King Abdulaziz University.
• It is being held to encourage students to showcase their creativity.
The exhibition, which will run until May 2 at the organization’s Abdul Halim Radwi Auditorium, presents an artistic interpretation of scientific inquiry. It is being held to encourage students to showcase their creativity.
Fifteen female students presented their paintings, sketches and other projects at the opening of the event.
The students chose as subject matter the body’s various systems, the solar system, human mind, natural world, animals, mathematics, computer programming, global warming and more.
The Sci-Art exhibition allows participants to engage their creative and analytical minds to forge new connections between ideas and learn about the world through art.
Mona Al-Harbi, Vice dean of the college of science, King Abdulaziz University
Al-Subaih praised the students for their work. “This exhibition comes as part of our role in spreading culture and arts … we thought of creating a platform for students to exhibit their talents and showcase their innovative ideas and this exhibition is an exciting moment for us to share with our community.”
Al-Harbi added: “The sci-art exhibition allows participants to engage their creative and analytical minds to forge new connections between ideas and learn about the world through art.
“This exhibition is a way to provide a platform for students and others to express that side of themselves and bring art and science together. Our aim is to encourage students to show their artistic talents and create paintings that related to subjects that they have learned in science.”
