The Filipino Ambassador to Kuwait, José Cabrera, praised the efforts of the Kuwaiti-Filipino Cultural Center, affiliated with the Islamic Presentation Committee, for its religious and cultural support to the Filipino community. He stated, “I am not a Muslim, but Islam is a religion of peace.”

This came during his participation in the 18th annual Ramadan Preparation Seminar, organized by the center, with the presence of the General Director of the Islamic Presentation Committee, Ammar Al-Kandari, the Director of the Center, Jouda Al-Fares, along with several officials, preachers, and a large audience from the Filipino community.

Cabrera emphasized the importance of preparing for the month of Ramadan for Muslims, expressing his joy in attending the seminar and sharing this spiritual occasion with his fellow countrymen. He underscored the significance of such events in enhancing religious awareness and reinforcing Islamic values within the Filipino community.

For his part, Jouda Al-Fares, Director of the Kuwaiti-Filipino Cultural Center, stressed the importance of holding this annual seminar to prepare new converts and Filipino families for Ramadan. He highlighted that the center provides educational and Islamic programs that help them understand fasting, its rulings, and its etiquette.

Al-Fares expressed his happiness at the strong participation and engagement from the Filipino community in Kuwait, noting that this positive interaction reflects the center’s success in strengthening communication with them and confirms their deep connection to its activities and programs.

He explained that the center, through its team of dedicated Filipino preachers, strives to inspire and strengthen the resolve of new converts during Ramadan, fostering strong spiritual bonds among Muslims and guiding non-Muslims interested in learning about Islam, Kuwaiti culture, and the Arabic language.

Al-Fares noted that the center, established in 2006 through the support of benefactors, has served as a beacon of Islamic and cultural outreach for 19 years. By the grace of God, and with the support of generous donors, it has helped guide over 5,000 people to Islam. He pointed out that Ramadan is the most active period for new conversions.

Despite its remarkable achievements, Al-Fares acknowledged the center’s ongoing challenges, particularly the limitations of its current premises, which consist of three small apartments that cannot accommodate the increasing number of attendees. He called upon philanthropists and donors to contribute toward securing a larger, independent facility, enabling the center to expand its programs and better serve the community’s needs.