OFW’s (Overseas Filipino Workers) in the Kingdom indulge in a variety of activities on weekends to help them relax after a long week’s work. Most of them use the off-days for sports, picnic outings and even for learning another language like Arabic and relevant IT skills which would further improve their work performance.

Some Filipinos love photography and may venture out into the desert to visit ancient sites or tourist spots to make documentaries of these historical areas. Armed with the latest state-of-the-art photographic equipment, they spend their time taking photos, both stills and videos of the spectacular desert climes peculiar to this part of the world.

One of the most active among these groups is the Riyadh-based Ultra Media International Foundation (UMIF). They are available on media networks showcasing their works and services. They organize courses on photography and even offer humanitarian services.

But with the AMTAR-Tugayanians International Foundation (TIF), also based in Riyadh, the normal weekend activities have gone a step further and they are making use of their Friday weekend to listen to lectures by experts on world affairs, team and capacity building, and lectures on Islam.

“The group’s last meeting featured a Friday sermon given by a Madinah Islamic University graduate, Alim Amrollah Diambangan,” said Rasol Abbas, adviser and founder of the group. Diambangan hails from Lanao del Sur, and is also a voluntary worker at Batha Islamic Da’wa Center.

Abbas said that the last meeting was very interesting as the Friday sermon was in their language with some useful and informative content touching many of those present.

Jamaludin Umpat’s presentation “Team Building and Personal Development” drew a lot of excitement from the crowd. Umpat who works for a French company presented two games, “Balloon” and “A Coat of Arms” with the actual participation of the TIF members.

According to Umpath, faith is like a balloon which can burst at any time. Therefore, we have to be vigilant and guard it properly.

During the game, those who managed to guard their balloons were awarded a prize which was symbolic of one who could protect his faith.

The second workshop entitled “Coat of Arms” was equally interesting and encouraged the participants to be quick and creative thinkers.

“The fact that there was a prize for any spokesperson who was able to deliver an inspiring speech or a group who had drawn an interactive pictogram was very motivating. Everyone went home happy,” Abbas added.

At the conclusion of the event SPMUDA (Southern Philippines Muslim Unity and Development Association) International awarded the Global Award for OFW’s to the group’s founder, Abbas for his outstanding services to his community by creating the organization almost 20 years ago in Jeddah, and which is now based in Riyadh.

He also actively promotes products and handicrafts of Tugaya in the global community which is recognized by UNESCO. Abbas has been working in SBG (Saudi Binladin Group) as a Senior Quantity Surveyor for the past 26 years.