The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is thrilled to welcome Filipinos, whether for work, travel, or religious purposes, according to Charge d’Affaires a.i Abdullah Saad Alshahri on Monday.
Thousands of Visas Issued Daily
Alshahri proudly shared that the Saudi Arabian government is issuing over a thousand visas daily to Filipinos heading to the Middle Eastern nation.
“We are happy to have any Filipinos. Every day, we issue more than a thousand visas for those coming for Umrah, work, tourism, or to take part in Saudi Arabia’s development projects,” Alshahri said.
He emphasized that Filipinos are always welcome in Saudi Arabia, whether they are visiting for religious pilgrimages, work opportunities, tourism, or family reunions.
A Special Gift from Saudi Arabia
Alshahri made these remarks during a special event where Saudi Arabia gifted high-quality dates—a sweet fruit from date palm trees—to the Philippine government.
“Dates are one of the most special food products in Saudi Arabia. But we are not here to sell them, we are here to give them as a gift. It is a symbol of love between our two countries,” he explained.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Secretary Sabuddin Abdurahim accepted the gift on behalf of the Philippine government.
Saudi Arabia’s Humanitarian Efforts in the Philippines
The Philippines is among 105 countries that benefit from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center—an organization dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance worldwide.
Alshahri revealed that Saudi Arabia is currently funding more than 16 projects in the Philippines, including healthcare, food security, and agricultural support.
With strong ties between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, the Middle Eastern nation continues to offer opportunities and assistance to Filipinos across various sectors.
