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 FM receives Montenegrin counterpart in Riyadh
- During the meeting, the two officials reviewed cooperation between their countries and ways to enhance and develop it in various fields
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Montenegrin counterpart Filip Ivanovic in Riyadh on Thursday.
During the meeting, the two officials reviewed cooperation between their countries and ways to enhance and develop it in various fields.
They also discussed regional and international developments and efforts made in this regard.
Governor of Taif meets with Saudi cultural director
- Prince Saud bin Nahar was briefed on SASCA’s strategy and initiatives aimed at fostering and empowering talent in the cultural and artistic fields
- A cooperation agreement was signed between SASCA and Taif University
RIYADH: Governor of Taif Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud met Princess Haifa bint Abdulmohsen, the director of development and partnerships at the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, at the governorate’s headquarters on Thursday.
The governor was briefed on SASCA’s strategy and initiatives aimed at fostering and empowering talent in the cultural and artistic fields, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The parties were also present at the signing of a cooperation agreement between SASCA in Taif and Taif University.
Saudi FM receives phone call from Belgian counterpart
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Belgian counterpart Hadja Lahbib on Thursday.
During the phone call, the two officials discussed developments in the region, particularly developments in the Gaza Strip and efforts made in this regard.
ilmi, PNU launch museum studies program
- New micro-credential courses open to all high-school graduates, undergraduates
- Program includes Arabic, English, in-person, remote, long and short-term courses
RIYADH: A new museum studies program in Saudi Arabia has opened for registration, offering micro-credential and long-term courses.
It is the result of a partnership between ilmi, a center for science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and mathematics learning, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.
ilmi — meaning “my knowledge” in Arabic — is a science and innovation center that aims to empower young people in Saudi Arabia.
A philanthropic NGO initiative created by Princess Sara bint Mashour bin Abdulaziz, wife of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ilmi is incubated, supported and funded by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, Misk, as a subsidiary, and operates in partnership with Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City.
The museum studies program includes micro-credential, diploma, minor and elective courses.
It is open to recent high-school graduates and university undergraduates keen to secure entry-level positions in museums, as well as professionals seeking new skill sets and career paths.
Created by ilmi and PNU experts from Saudi Arabia and around the world, the program offers a blend of online and in-person learning, alongside Arabic and English tuition options.
Micro-credential courses will blend online and in-person learning, and are available to applicants over the age of 18.
Courses include museum impact studies, museum education and awareness, an introduction to museum technologies, fundamentals of museum management and integrating digital technology.
Courses on offer for PNU students include an introduction to museums elective and specialist minors in museums and digital technology, exhibit design and content development.
A two-year diploma in museum management will also be available for both PNU students and recent high-school graduates.
Registration has opened for the first online micro-credential course starting this month: Fundamentals of museum management.
All further micro-credential courses will take place in May and June, with the diploma, minor and elective programs starting in September at the beginning of the academic year 2024/25.
Program graduates can also apply to work alongside ilmi experts as they design and launch unique, informal learning programs across the Kingdom.
For more information and registration, click here.
KSrelief, WFP to support malnutrition treatment in Yemen
- Allocation of $4.85 million to treat malnutrition in children aged under five as well as pregnant and lactating women in Yemen
- Agreement was signed by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and KSrelief’s supervisor general, and WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain
PARIS: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center signed a joint cooperation agreement with the World Food Programme allocating $4.85 million to treat malnutrition in children aged under five as well as pregnant and lactating women in Yemen.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the International Conference for Sudan and Neighboring Countries, which was organized by France and the EU in Paris.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and KSrelief’s supervisor general, and WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
It aims to improve the nutritional situation for Yemen’s most impoverished people by providing supplements in targeted areas, benefiting 86,985 people.
