JEDDAH, 13 March 2006 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will lay the corner stone for King Abdullah Charitable Housing Foundation’s headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday, according to Dr. Yousuf Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the foundation. He said the king donated a 10,000 square-meter plot of land for the SR20 million project, which includes the chairman’s office, administrative facilities and conference halls.
Orphanages to Be Built for Tsunami Victims
JEDDAH, 13 March 2006 — The Saudi Charitable Committee for the Relief of East Asian Tsunami Victims yesterday signed an agreement with Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to establish two orphanages in the Indonesian province of Aceh at a total cost of SR22.5 million. Dr. Saed Al-Harithy, chairman of the committee, said IDB would supervise implementation of the project, which includes housing, health and educational facilities for children who were orphaned in the disaster.
Five Die in Madinah After Drinking Cologne
MADINAH, 13 March 2006 — Five people died and 11 others were hospitalized after they consumed cologne that contained methanol, press reports said yesterday. The Director of Madinah, Police Maj. Gen. Ahmed Al-Radadi, said the authorities had taken measures to confiscate products containing the poisonous liquid from local shops. He said people who consumed cologne started coming to hospital Saturday afternoon. Dr. Sahl Darwish Salama, director of heath in the Madinah region, confirmed the death of five Saudis in the incident. He said one of the 11 Saudis who remain in hospital is in critical condition.
