JEDDAH, 18 August — A new set of officers of the Ewaton International, an association of Filipino Muslims based in Jeddah, have assumed office during a ceremony officiated by Philippine Consulate officials.

Vice Consul Jose Jacob administered the oath to the officers on Aug. 9 at the Nayong Pilipino Restaurant, according to a press release issued by the group.

The officers, who are either engineers by profession or datus, will serve until August 2003, said the news release.

The new officers are: Mostafa A. Laguindab, chairman; Sukarno D. Baruang, vice chairman for external affairs; Salic Arumpac, vice chairman for internal affairs; Lacson Lomontod, general secretary; Solaiman Palo, assistant secretary; Bangki Wahab, general treasurer; Johari Camar, assistant treasurer; Diagoni Pario, general auditor; Alimbsar Amod, assistant auditor; Acmad Marangit and Mocamad Arobinto, press relation officers.

Also inducted into officer were the following officers:

Coordinators: Abdul Fatah Hajji Noor, Ibrahim Marmay, Nasser Pascan, Cairoden Paudac, Mesug Radiamoda, Allan Arumpac, Nasroden Mangombaya, and Nadjer Bogabong.

Directors: Abdulghani Sarigala, Khalid Cader, Jamael Manda, Carim Dimakuta, Marzawan Macaunte, Miser Masbud, Pulawan Natangcop, Haron Benito and Muslimen Noor.

Advisers: Assistant Labor Attaché Nasser Munder, Panny Macarambon, Ali Ditucalan, Sherad Sacar, Nazruddin Dianalan, Ibrahim Mangotara, Casan Macaraya, Ibrahim Macadato, Ibrahim Macapaar, Abdul Rahim “Apo” Pascan, Ali Ariraya, Nasser Maraye, Rashid Sarilama and Madid Garlan.

In his speech, chairman Laguindab urged all Ewatons to rally behind his leadership as he promised not to disappoint them. “For unity and brotherhood, nothing we desire to achieve will be impossible,” he said.

Aside from Vice Consul Jacob, the other guests of honor were Cultural Officer Gene Punguinaguina and Manny Pagadilan. Various Maranao community leaders witnessed the memorable occasion.

The Ewaton International is a multi-purpose non-profit and a nonpolitical association, whose avowed main objective is “to forge unity among overseas Ewatons, in order to strengthen their communal relationships and in the hope of returning home with the spirit of profound solidarity and brotherhood in Islam.”