JEDDAH, 3 November — The Pioneers Ladies Club organized a function at the Saudi German Hospital auditorium recently to raise funds for Afghan refugees. Wife of the Consul General of Pakistan, Begum Shahnaz Nawaz Chaudhry, was the chief guest. The program was also attended by prominent Saudi women, a press release of the club said. There was an overwhelming response from various Pakistani women organizations who donated generously. An amount of SR15,789 was raised for the poor Afghans who have suffered two decades of internecine fighting and are now made target of US bombing. The proceeds from the evening will be deposited in account No. 80 of the National Commercial Bank in Jeddah. The variety program included children’s tableaus by Huma Qasim that drew much applause. But the highlight of the evening was the solo songs by Midhat, an upcoming young artist. The program was followed by a dinner. It was just another attempt by the Pioneers to demonstrate that one can have meaningful and entertaining ladies’ function in keeping with Islamic norms. The elaborately lighted bazaar arranged by the IDB Ladies Club on the spacious lawns of the Islamic Development Bank the following day was another such example.
