Aquino signs Book of Condolences for late Saudi King Abdullah

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III (Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — President Aquino signed the Book of Condolences for the late Saudi King Abdullah at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Makati City Tuesday afternoon.

The President arrived at the Saudi Arabia embassy 6 p.m. and was received by Isaac Ibrahim Al-Orini, charge d’ affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Linglingay Lacanlale, acting secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

After the signing of the Book of Condolences, the President stood in front of the picture of the late King Abdullah for a moment of prayer.

After that, the President was offered a small cup of traditional beverage as part of the Saudi Arabian tradition.

Born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on August 1, 1924, the late King Abdullah served as the head of Saudi Arabia’s government, first deputy prime minister and commander of National Guard.

After ascending to the throne in 2005, he initiated a range of major economic, social, educational and health projects that brought remarkable changes to the kingdom.

One of his greatest legacies is in the field of education when he sent thousands of young Saudis to study overseas.

The King also founded in 2008 the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, the country’s first co-educational campus.

On his policies on women, King Abdullah was the first Saudi monarch to appoint women to government positions. In 2003, he appointed 30 women to the Shura Council.

King Abdullah also promoted interfaith dialogue, making him the first Arab monarch and Saudi King to meet the pope.

He was also an advocate of constructive global cooperation and he fought actively against terrorism during his reign.