MFA Press Statement: Visit of the Deputy Governor of the Hadramout Region for Valley and Desert Affairs of the Republic of Yemen, Mr Ahmed Janned Al Janned, 10 - 14 June 2008

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo hosted dinner today for the Deputy Governor of the Hadramout Region for Valley and Desert Affairs of the Republic of Yemen, Mr Ahmed Janned Al Janned. Mr Ahmed Janned is visiting Singapore from 10-14 June 2008 at the invitation of Minister Yeo. Mr Ahmed Janned's visit reciprocates the visit made by Minister Yeo to the Hadramout region during his official visit to Yemen in May 2007.

Mr Ahmed Janned is a descendant from the same Arab family as Syed Sharif Omar Aljunied, a renowned local businessman and philanthropist who was one of the pioneering Arabs in Singapore in the 1800's. Today, there are about 300 Aljunieds living in Singapore and the Aljunied family legacy is seen in the naming of Aljunied Road and Aljunied constituency. Apart from the Aljunieds, the Arab community in Singapore are primarily Hadramis who originally came from the Hadramout region in Yemen.

Other guests at the dinner hosted at Singapore's Arab quarter included members of the Arab Association of Singapore as well as grassroots members of Aljunied GRC who accompanied Minister Yeo during his visit to Yemen. Earlier in the day, Mr Ahmed Janned visited MUIS. Member of Parliament Dr Ahmad Magad, whose ancestors hail from Hadramout, and who was also part of Minister's delegation to Yemen last year, also hosted Mr Ahmed Janned to lunch.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
11 JUNE 2008