RIYADH,
October 22, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Saudi
Arabia launched on Saturday, October 22, a major drive to gather
millions of dollars in donations for the victims of the massive
earthquake in Pakistan, as UN officials warned more international help
was urgently needed.
Saudis
were seen flocking to the Faisal bin Fahd sports stadium in the
capital Riyadh to deposit money, jewelry and other valuables in large
glass boxes set up on the grounds, reported Agence France-Presse
(AFP).
State
television and the Dubai-based Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya news channel
staged a joint telethon to gather funds for victims.
Saudi
television announced that 30 million riyals (eight million dollars)
was raised in the first hour and half of the drive.
Young
Saudi men were shown manning telephones in the studio as a presenter
read out the largest donations.
A
number of renowned Saudi scholars sitting by his side exhorted people
to be "good Muslims" and give money to victims of the quake.
Al-Arabiya
broadcast live feeds from its correspondents at the scene of the quake
as an anchorman discussed the impact of the disaster with his guests
in the studio.
The
channel was not raising funds but flashed on its screen an account
number at a Saudi bank to which donations could be sent.
A
massive quake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale, has killed 53,182
people and injured 75,146 others in Pakistani-administered Kashmir and
neighboring northern towns.
The
quake, the worst natural disaster in Pakistan's history, has left more
than 3.5 million people homeless.
Philanthropists
 |
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The eleventh Saudi relief cargo plane arrived in Islamabad Friday loaded with 70 tons of tents, foodstuffs and other relief supplies. (Reuters)
|
Among
major donations were 10 million riyals (2.6 million dollars) by Saudi
King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, seven million riyals (1.8 million
dollars) by Saudi oil giant Aramco and three million riyals (800,000
dollars) by Interior Minister Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz, who
orchestrated the campaign, according to state television.
"We
also have businessman Hassan al-Mahdi cancelling his wedding ceremony
and donating its cost of 500,000 riyals (13,000 dollars) to the
drive," announced the presenter amid the nodding approval of the
scholars.
King
Abdullah has ordered a nationwide fund-raising campaign for the quake
victims under the supervision of Prince Naif.
The
kingdom has already offered SR500 million in emergency aid to
reconstruct infrastructure facilities such as schools, hospitals and
roads and sent planeloads of relief supplies to quake-hit areas,
according to the Arab News daily.
Saudi
Arabia and other Gulf Arab states have sent large amounts of relief
assistance to Pakistan, added the Saudi daily.
The
eleventh Saudi relief cargo plane arrived in Islamabad on Friday,
October 21, loaded with 70 tons of tents, foodstuffs and other relief
supplies.
The
United Nations has received $57 million in firm, legally binding
commitments and $33 million in promises, toward its $312 million
appeal for Pakistan.
A
similar Saudi telethon has raised millions of dollars for the victims
of last year's tsunami, drawing donations of cash, tents and blankets,
even diamonds.
No
`Eid Celebration
In
Pakistan, the government decided Saturday not to hold the usual
celebrations to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan out
of respect for the thousands killed in the massive earthquake.
The
prime minister has decided to observe `Eid Al-Fitr with "sobriety
and solemnity due to colossal loss of life and property"
Information Minister Sheikh Rashid told reporters.
`Eid
Al-Fitr is one of the most important festival in the Islamic calendar
which marks the end of the fasting month.
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