People respond to King’s call

Abdullah Al-Dani
Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — A telethon at Saudi TV channels to raise funds to support the repressed Syrian people will begin at 11:00 P.M. Monday and continue till 3:00 A.M.

The three-day telethon has been called in implementation of the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

“The donations will be from all the Kingdom’s regions” and all Saudis have been urged “to participate in the campaign.”

Contributions in kind will also be accepted at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh and other places to be specified by regional authorities.

Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, said the campaign confirms the Kingdom’s support for those who need assistance.

Dr. Sulaiman Al-Eidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Information, said the telethon will start after Taraweeh prayers each day for three days.

He said a commentary on this important event will be carried out by 12 media men, who will host thinkers, writers and intellectuals.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti of the Kingdom and Chairman of the Board of Senior Ulema, urged all to participate in the national campaign for the relief of the Syrian people.

He said the call by King Abdullah is from a compassionate heart that is keen to solve the problems of the Ummah, heal their wounds and console the needy.

Several members of the Board of Senior Ulema lauded the King’s stance.

Dr. Adnan Khaleel Basha, Secretary General of the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO), said his organization values King Abdullah’s directives.

Dr. Abdulbasit Sida, Chairman of the Syrian National Council, praised the King for this noble gesture.

The announcement for the telethon comes amid a spike in deadly violence across Syria, where more than 19,000 have been killed since an uprising erupted in March 2011 against the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad.