JEDDAH, 11 October 2004 — The 5th Annual Magic Carpet Festival was opened yesterday by Princess Sarah Al-Anqari, wife of Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed. The festival will last for four days with morning and evening openings. It is located on Andalus Street in a tent especially set up for the occasion. The festival is organized by the National Home Health Care Foundation (NHHCF).
The NHHCF is a non-profit organization providing free medical and social services for Saudis at home who are in need. The foundation was established by Princess Hessa Al-Shalaan, wife of Crown Prince Abdullah. The foundation connects needy patients with the community through fund-raising events and projects to ensure the continuity of home health care services.
Princess Adelah bint Abdullah, president of the NHHCF, said: “We began with a small office in the King Abdul Aziz Medical City; it was originally an operation to bring care, support and medical assistance to those in need. At the beginning we looked after 300 patients but now, with the growth and development of our medical and social support teams, we are helping over 1,500 patients.”
The princess thanked the community for its support. “On behalf of the NHHCF, its teams, patients and volunteers, I would like to personally thank and acknowledge all those who have given their time, made donations, and helped us make our humanitarian mission a success.”
One of the charity’s principal money-raising projects is the annual Magic Carpet Festival. “Every year we see a number of participating companies, eagerly awaiting the Magic Carpet Festival preparation period to send in their sponsorship checks and other support materials. I would like to thank them and pay tribute to a nation and people that have such strong patriotic and humanitarian feelings,” said Princess Adelah.
“On behalf of the NHHCF, I wish to thank the following sponsors, some of whom have been with us from the start and others who join us for the first time this year: Kingdom Holding Company; Saudi Oger; Faqeeh; Al Baik; Rabea Tea; Events; Al-Mawaddah; Al-Mukhmal; Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper; Al Sawari for Energy and Al-Majal Service Master.
“I would also like to personally thank all the journalists, both men and women, for writing about the issues and the necessity of being a caring nation which supports those less fortunate. By bringing such humanitarian issues to the attention of the public and showing how organizations, companies and individuals are working, we will combat many challenges and turn an obstacle into a positive action. Thank you all for a job well done,” the princess said in conclusion.
