Philippines to highlight Islamic heritage in Riyadh during Ramadan

• Manila’s envoy in Saudi Arabia plans a Ramadan event in Riyadh.
• Filipino Muslims make up about 10% of the Philippines’ 120 million people.
• The event also aims to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia.

Manila’s envoy in the Saudi capital informed Arab News on Sunday that the Philippines will host a Ramadan event later this month in Riyadh to showcase the country’s Islamic heritage.

According to 2024 data from the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos, Filipino Muslims comprise approximately 10 percent of the Philippines’ nearly 120 million people, making them the third-largest Muslim community in Southeast Asia after Indonesia and Malaysia.

Rommel Romato, the embassy’s charged affairs, stated that the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh is planning an iftar gathering and a Qur’an reading exhibition for later this month to showcase the country’s Islamic heritage.

“The event serves to strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between Philippine and Saudi communities. The iftar is a special opportunity to come together during this holy month of Ramadan and celebrate the values of peace, compassion, and community,” he said.

“The Qur’an reading exhibition will showcase the rich Islamic tradition of the Philippines and foster cultural exchange with Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam.”

According to the National Historical Institute, Islam made its first appearance in the predominantly Catholic Philippines in 1380, establishing itself as the oldest monotheistic religion in the archipelagic country.

The majority of Filipino Muslims reside on the island of Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago in the country’s south, as well as in Manila.

The Riyadh event is also a component of the embassy’s efforts to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom. According to a survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Saudi Arabia, with around 437,000 Filipino migrant workers employed in 2022, remains the most favored destination for OFWs.

“We are committed to supporting our Overseas Filipino Workers and their families in Saudi Arabia through various programs and initiatives, and this event is a chance to connect with them and representatives of the Saudi community,” Romato said.

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