Press Release No. 125-2012

24 July 2012

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh hosted an Iftar or breaking of the fast on the first day of Ramadhan on 20 July 2012 at the Liwasang Bonifacio. Hundreds of Filipino Muslim from the community in Riyadh joined the Muslim and Non-Muslim Embassy staff and their families in this annual tradition of breaking of fast during the first day of Ramadhan.

Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago led the breaking of fast with the Embassy personnel and Filipino community.

After the Magrib prayer (sunset prayer), the guests and visitors were served and enjoyed delicious ethnic Filipino foods commonly available in the southern Philippines. Local Arabic foods tradition eaten during Ramadan was also available during the Iftar.

The Embassy also shared the Iftar with the lady residents of the Filipino Workers Resource Center (Bahay Kalinga) who had been fasting on the first day of Ramadhan.

Muslim Filipinos constitute about 10 percent of the Philippine population. Under the constitution, they enjoy rights to practice their religion and preserve their culture and tradition. Mainly in the southern Philippines, Muslims enjoy self-rule in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Tawi Tawi and Sulu.