JEDDAH, 23 October 2005 — Saudi Arabia yesterday launched a major drive to collect donations for earthquake victims in Pakistan, with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah giving SR10 million to the fund.
Saudi Arabian Television and Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya staged a joint telethon to gather funds for the victims. Saudi TV announced that SR30 million was raised in the first hour and half of the drive.
Saudis were seen flocking to Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Stadium in Riyadh to deposit money, jewelry and other valuables in large glass boxes set up on the grounds. Young Saudi men were shown manning telephones in the television studio as a presenter read out the largest donations.
Crown Prince Sultan contributed SR5 million while Interior Minister Prince Naif gave SR3 million. Riyadh Governor Prince Salman and Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed donated SR1 million each to the fund. Saudi Aramco staff offered a donation of SR7 million. By the time Arab News went to press, the donations reached SR60 million.
“We also have businessman Hassan Al-Mahdi canceling his wedding and donating its cost of SR500,000 to the drive,” announced the presenter.
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. Pakistani Ambassador Abdul Aziz Mirza thanked King Abdullah for the fund-raising drive and said it would help in the reconstruction of quake-affected areas.
