RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman, who is chairman of the board of directors of the Charitable Society for the Care of Orphans (Insan), has highlighted his organization’s efforts to provide the best possible care to orphans, whom he described as a precious segment of Saudi society.
Addressing Insan’s annual fundraising event at the King Faisal Conference Hall in Riyadh InterContinental Hotel, Prince Salman said the organization was taking care of 26,700 orphans and their mothers in Riyadh and surrounding areas.
More than SR30.4 million was collected during the event with Prince Salman contributing SR1 million, his children and grandchildren SR1 million, Princess Tarfa bint Abdul Aziz SR1 million and a single philanthropist SR10 million. Other major contributors were: Al-Othaim Holding (SR2.5 million), Abdul Wahab Al-Sayyed (SR2 million), Musaed Al-Saif & Sons (SR1.5 million), Abdullah Al-Moussa Sons (SR1.2 million), Nasser Al-Rasheed, Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al-Shuwaier & Sons, Samba Financial Group, Khaled Al-Ibrahim, Al-Jomaih Foundation and Fawaz Al-Hokair & Brothers (SR1 million each).
“Orphans are a valuable part of our society who need our special care and attention,” Prince Salman told the gathering of princes, ministers, businessmen, academics and social workers.
“Our society has been extending exemplary service in the care of orphans by providing them with education, training, employment and health care,” he said. “We have met here today to continue our services to these children who have lost their parents. This meeting reflects the unity and solidarity of the Saudi people who cooperate with one another in good deeds to win the pleasure of God,” he added.
Insan’s services now cover Riyadh, Al-Kharj, Dawadmi, Aflaj and Zulfi. “We are now working to extend our services to the remaining cities and townships in the Riyadh region,” he said.
The governor said an automatic teller system has been introduced to distribute the aid to orphans. “This system will allow them to receive the money using smart cards,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh urged Saudis to support orphans following in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He also warned people against misusing the wealth of orphans.
A documentary on the society’s mission and activities was shown at the beginning of the event. The society has invested SR10 million in stocks and SR48 million in real estate investment funds.
Prince Salman also opened Burj Insan, an investment project of the society that was established at a cost of SR52 million. Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of the society’s executive committee attended the opening ceremony.
