Expats join Saudis in Eid festivities

Saudis and expatriates spent their Eid holidays in various cities. (SPA)

RIYADH: Both Saudis and expatriates spent their Eid holidays in various cities in celebration, despite the terrorist strike that marred the festive mood in the Kingdom.
The terror attack near Qatif in the Eastern Province took place on July 5, but could not stop Filipinos from celebrating two events — Eid Al-Fitr and victory for their President Rodrigo R. Duterte by a landslide vote in the presidential poll held in May. Their victorious candidate (Duterte) has pledged to work for OFWs’ welfare as one of his priorities.
“I am so excited over his presidential victory, which is a gift for all OFWs. This is the day we will meet our friends from different provinces here in KSA,” said the organizer of the event, Cherry Iglesias, adding: “We are happy to meet our fellow OFWs during the thanksgiving party for our president.”
She said, “my fellow OFWs were all happy over the very successful event attended by various community leaders from Riyadh, Dammam, Alkhobar and even from Khamis Mushayt.”
In the capital, some OFWs spent their Eid holiday instead providing medical services to their fellow Filipinos who are now in shelters and compounds where Filipinos have been stranded.
Some of them have not received their salaries for some months and need medicines and other items. The team, comprising Leo Encarnacion, Marilyn Enguito , Michael Demesa Pera, Edson Estorque and Joy Senajon, not only provided free checkups but also gave free medicines to 112 Filipinos, most of them abandoned by their companies without giving them their dues.
“OFWs rejoice and celebrate Eid holidays. OFWs in Saudi Arabia, by virtue of their long stay, having spent almost half of their lives here in the Kingdom, have learned and adopted not only the culture and traditions of the Arabs, but the teachings of Islam irrespective of their religion and orientation,” said Saidali Malic, secretary-general of Duterte Middle East Movement, based in Riyadh.
He said, “such holidays give us chance to spend more time with our families, relatives and friends, visiting and discovering the view of the seashore and Corniche of Jeddah and Alkhobar.”