Latest news with #FaisalAlGhamdi
Arab News
19-05-2025
- Arab News
First Filipino pilgrims depart Manila for Hajj
MANILA: Philippine officials and Saudi Arabia's ambassador saw off on Monday the first group of Filipino pilgrims departing from Manila to Madinah to take part in this year's Hajj. A total of 5,000 Filipino Muslims are set to undertake the spiritual journey that is one of the tenets of Islam. Saudi Ambassador Faisal bin Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi accompanied hundreds of them as they prepared to board flights operated by Saudia, the Kingdom's national flag carrier, at the Manila airport. 'As you embark on this sacred journey, I pray that your Hajj is accepted, your efforts are rewarded, and your deeds are righteous,' he told the pilgrims. 'I wish to assure you, dear brothers and sisters, that the relevant authorities in the Kingdom have completed all preparations to receive the pilgrims in line with the leadership's clear commitment to making the Hajj experience smooth and spiritually fulfilling for all.' Muslims constitute roughly 10 percent of the country's 110 million predominantly Catholic population. The majority of them live on the southern island of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, as well as in the central-western province of Palawan. The last of the special Hajj flights carrying Philippine Muslims to Saudi Arabia will depart on May 29 as the annual pilgrimage is expected to begin on June 4. 'As you embark on this sacred journey to the blessed place … may your hearts be filled with peace, prosperity and gratitude,' National Commission on Muslim Filipinos chairman Sabuddin Abdurahim said during the sendoff ceremony. 'Hajj is not only a physical journey, but it is a profound spiritual transformation where you will be going to reflect, to purify your souls, and renew your commitment to a new life of compassion, humility, and righteousness.' Sahawi Mua, a pilgrim from Marawi, said he waited almost 10 years to be able to save money and take part in the pilgrimage. '(With) the help of the Almighty … I prepared for this not only financially but also physically and health-wise, and hopefully I'll be successful,' he told Arab News. 'I've prepared myself my whole life.' For Marion Gandawali and his wife, the wait was even longer. Farmers from Lanao del Norte, they will be visiting Makkah and Madinah for the first time. 'We waited for 40 years … Whatever we earned from farming corn, coconut, we saved it all, our whole life, to get this chance to perform the Hajj,' Gandawali said. 'Even though we waited a long time, it was all worth it as my wife and I are doing this together.'
Broadcast Pro
15-04-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
SRMG Media Solutions secures media representation deal with thmanyah
The partnership between thmanyah and SMS promises opportunities for both regional and global brands, allowing them to capitalise on thmanyah's expansive audience and high engagement levels through advanced digital solutions. SRMG Media Solutions (SMS) has announced an exclusive partnership with thmanyah, the podcast network in the Arab world, marking a major milestone in the regional media and advertising landscape. As the sole media representative for thmanyah, SMS will leverage the network's extensive reach and diverse platforms to offer cutting-edge advertising opportunities that connect brands with thmanyah's highly engaged audience. This strategic alliance enhances SMS's position as a next-generation, data-driven media company. Utilising first-party data, AI-powered audience segmentation and advanced AdTech tools, SMS crafts personalised, performance-driven campaigns for advertisers. Its premium portfolio already includes prominent SRMG brands such as Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News, Bloomberg Asharq Business, Arab News, Hia, Sayidaty, Billboard Arabia and Manga Arabia — reaching over 170m users globally across digital, audio, TV, print and experiential platforms. Thmanyah, recognised for producing culturally rich and socially relevant Arabic content, boasts impressive metrics: over 6.2bn impressions, 700m+ views and listens, and a record-breaking episode of its flagship podcast Fnjan, which earned a Guinness World Record for highest YouTube viewership. With more than 30 original programmes and a 45% newsletter open rate, thmanyah continues to dominate in the fields of culture, business, sports and lifestyle content. The company recently evolved into a media tech entity, developing tools to empower Arab content creators and elevate digital engagement. Ziad Moussa, Managing Director of SMS, said: 'We are thrilled to become the exclusive media representative for thmanyah, which has forged a strong bond with audiences both in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The exceptional Arabic content thmanyah offers aligns perfectly with the aspirations of today's digital audience, providing brands and advertisers with valuable engagement and interaction opportunities.' Faisal AlGhamdi, Chief Business Officer at thmanyah, commented: 'Our commercial offerings have seen significant growth, thanks to our loyal and highly engaged audience. This agreement with SMS will enable us to expand further, continue delivering high-quality Arabic content, and empower brands to stay ahead of the future of digital media consumption.' The collaboration between SMS and thmanyah is set to unlock new advertising potential in the region, offering innovative, data-led strategies for regional and international brands aiming to connect with the Arab world's fast-growing digital audience.
