President Al-Zubaidi Attends Massive Ramadan Evening Hosted by Socotra Archipelago Leadership in Honor of His Visit and Accompanying Delegation

President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), attended a Ramadan evening event organized by the local authority and the STC local leadership executive body (LLEB) in the Socotra Archipelago governorate. The event was held in honor of his visit and the accompanying delegation to the archipelago and was attended by local leaders, tribal sheikhs, dignitaries, social figures, and representatives of the youth and women sectors in the governorate.

During the evening, which was attended by Socotra Governor Ra'afat Al-Thaqali, several members of the STC's Presidium, ministers in the government, the head of the LLEB, military commanders, and senior security officers in the governorate, the President delivered a keynote address, the full text of which is as follows:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praise is for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May the praise of Allah and His peace be on Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], his family, and companions.

Dear Ra'afat Al-Thaqli, governor of the Socotra archipelago,

Dear Saeed Omar bin Qublan, head of the LLEB of the Transitional Council in the Socotra archipelago governorate,

Sisters and brothers, citizens of the Socotra archipelago governorate,

Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you all.

First, allow me to extend my best congratulations on the holy month of Ramadan. We hope that Allah will return it to us, our people, and our homeland with more goodness, security, stability, and prosperity in this blessed land, which is as pure as your hearts.

Truly, words fall short in conveying the depth of our emotions as we alight upon this land of Socotra, the island of dreams and legends, the gem of the vast ocean, and the pearl of the sea. It is a realm slumbering on the fringes of this tempestuous ocean, standing as an eternal witness to a magnificent heritage whose roots delve deep into history.

Brothers and sisters, citizens of the Socotra Archipelago,

We congratulate and take immense pride in the developmental achievements accomplished for this archipelago, with the Socotri people at its core, after decades of deprivation and isolation from the world. Thanks to the generous support of our brothers in the Arab Coalition countries, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, key infrastructure projects have been inaugurated, including the airport upgrade, the university, model schools, and the hospital being built, and a wide network of roads being constructed. In addition to the water, electricity, and telecommunications sectors, they have seen remarkable progress, alleviating much of the suffering of their citizens and connecting them to the world around them. This is reflected today in the burgeoning tourism boom and the unceasing flow of visitors who come to enjoy the enchanting and unparalleled beauty of this island.

Distinguished attendees,

Since Socotra's return to the embrace of the South and the assumption of its citizens in governing its affairs, it has been able to rise and rapidly move forward with both speed and confidence toward the future.

Furthermore, the archipelago has regained the state of peace and social cohesiveness it has always been known for, in a remarkable example that deserves to be taught to generations to come. All of this achievement is a source of happiness and inspiration for us all.

Brothers and sisters, esteemed citizens of Socotra,

We are fully aware of your struggles in traveling to other governorates for work, education, medical treatment, or to bring essential services and supplies to the archipelago. We also recognize the challenges posed by climatic fluctuations and their catastrophic effects on the people, property, and infrastructure across the islands. Therefore, we assure you from this platform that we will do our best to facilitate the travel of Socotra's citizens to other governorates of the South, increase their access to higher education opportunities, and support the efforts of the local authority to resolve all challenges facing the governorate, whether through government-supported projects or regional and international aid funds.

All the attendees,

Socotra is dear to us all, and each of us bears a moral and national responsibility to protect it, safeguard its place on the World Heritage List, and foster its development so that it retains its status as a global tourist destination. This can only be achieved by concerted efforts and working as one team to maintain the security and stability the island enjoys and working diligently, each from their respective position of responsibility, so that Socotra remains a symbol of peace and harmony. Rest assured, we will not hesitate to support the efforts of the local authority to uplift the governorate and serve its people, harness all available resources for its development, preserve its cultural and civilizational heritage, and enhance its infrastructure as a global tourist destination.

We also call upon the governorate leadership to continue its efforts to preserve the uniqueness and distinctiveness of this archipelago, and we grant it full authority to take whatever measures it deems necessary to preserve the biodiversity of the archipelago as a global treasure. This diversity must not be harmed, but rather legislation and decisions must be enacted to safeguard it from any reckless actions or decisions that do not comprehend the importance and status of the island as a global reserve and one of the most important components of world heritage.

Distinguished attendees,

While visiting our beloved Socotra, I must express my gratitude to the valiant heroes of our armed forces and security services in the Socotra Archipelago Governorate and across all the governorates of our precious South. Their pure blood and immense sacrifices are shaping the features of the aspired South today. From this governorate, located in the heart of the international maritime route, we reaffirm that maintaining security and stability in the region and protecting international maritime navigation requires a comprehensive strategy in which the local role is integrated with regional and international allies.

In conclusion,

I extend my greetings to you once again, may you all be blessed at the last days of this holy month, and may you be well every year. Peace, mercy, and the blessings of Allah be upon you all.