The Emirates Red Crescent, through the United Arab Emirates embassy in Manila, in partnership with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and wife Kathryna Yu-Pimentel distribute 650 iftar meals to Muslims in Marikina City following their fasting for Ramandan. (Photo courtesy of Senator Koko Pimentel Facebook)
MANILA, Philippines — Muslims in Marikina City received iftar meals to break their fasting for Ramadan.
The meals were courtesy of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Manila, in partnership with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and his wife Kathryna Yu-Pimentel.
ERC, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the UAE’s main relief and aid agency that extends aid both locally and internationally.
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In a statement on Saturday, Pimentel said 650 iftar meals were served to the Muslims, who were fasting and praying at the Marikina Grand Islamic Mosque and other mosques in the city’s Barangays Parang, Barangka, and Sta. Elena on April 5.
“The spirit of Ramadan embodies the essence of sharing. It is a time when communities come together to extend kindness and generosity to those in need. We are grateful to Emirates Red Crescent and the United Arab Emirates for their global efforts in fostering this spirit of sharing. We are grateful for their support to our Muslim brothers and sisters,” Pimentel said.
“The partnership with the Emirates Red Crescent underscores our shared commitment to humanitarian principles and the well-being of communities,” he added.
READ: Muslims begin 30-day fasting for Ramadan
The Emirates Red Crescent, through the United Arab Emirates embassy in Manila, in partnership with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and wife Kathryna Yu-Pimentel distribute 650 iftar meals to Muslims in Marikina City following their fasting for Ramandan. (Photo courtesy of Senator Koko Pimentel Facebook)
The senator’s wife, Kathryna, meanwhile said: “In times of celebration and reflection, it is crucial to extend a helping hand to those who may be facing challenges. We are truly grateful to the Emirates Red Crescent for this collaboration that benefited our Muslim communities in my hometown Marikina.”
Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro, Rep. Maan Teodoro, and Obaid Abbood Alshehhi, who is the First Secretary of the UAE Embassy in Manila were also present during the event for the distribution of iftar meals.
Muslims who are fasting during Ramadan cannot eat or drink from dawn until sunset.
They can only eat one meal just before dawn, referred to as “suhoor” or “sehri”, and another after sunset, or “iftar”.