Re: Saudi TV, Al-Arabiya Plan Telethon for Quake Victims
$8 million in just 90 minutes - darn these stingy Arabs. 
Saudis Raise Funds for Pakistan Quake Victims
Saudi Arabia launched on Saturday, October 22, a major drive to gather millions of dollars in donations for the victims of the massive earthquake in Pakistan, as UN officials warned more international help was urgently needed. Saudis were seen flocking to the Faisal bin Fahd sports stadium in the capital Riyadh to deposit money, jewelry and other valuables in large glass boxes set up on the grounds, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP). State television and the Dubai-based Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya news channel staged a joint telethon to gather funds for victims. Saudi television announced that 30 million riyals (eight million dollars) was raised in the first hour and half of the drive. Young Saudi men where shown manning telephones in the studio as a presenter read out the largest donations. A number of renowned Saudi scholars sitting by his side exhorted people to be “good Muslims” and give money to victims of the quake. 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. The channel was not raising funds but flashed on its screen an account number at a Saudi bank to which donations could be sent. A massive quake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale, has killed 53,182 people and injured 75,146 others in Pakistani-administered Kashmir and neighboring northern towns. The quake, the worst natural disaster in Pakistan’s history, has left more than 3.5 million people homeless.
Philanthropists
The eleventh Saudi relief cargo plane arrived in Islamabad Friday loaded with 70 tons of tents, foodstuffs and other relief supplies. Among major donations were 10 million riyals (2.6 million dollars) by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, seven million riyals (1.8 million dollars) by Saudi oil giant Aramco and three million riyals (800,000 dollars) by Interior Minister Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz, who orchestrated the campaign, according to state television. “We also have businessman Hassan al-Mahdi cancelling his wedding ceremony and donating its cost of 500,000 riyals (13,000 dollars) to the drive,” announced the presenter amid the nodding approval of the scholars. King Abdullah has ordered a nationwide fund-raising campaign for the quake victims under the supervision of Prince Naif. The kingdom has already offered SR500 million in emergency aid to reconstruct infrastructure facilities such as schools, hospitals and roads and sent planeloads of relief supplies to quake-hit areas, according to the Arab News daily. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states have sent large amounts of relief assistance to Pakistan, added the Saudi daily. The eleventh Saudi relief cargo plane arrived in Islamabad on Friday, October 21, loaded with 70 tons of tents, foodstuffs and other relief supplies. The United Nations has received $57 million in firm, legally binding commitments and $33 million in promises, toward its $312 million appeal for Pakistan. A similar Saudi telethon has raised millions of dollars for the victims of last year’s tsunami, drawing donations of cash, tents and blankets, even diamonds.
No `Eid Celebration
In Pakistan, the government decided Saturday not to hold the usual celebrations to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan out of respect for the thousands killed in the massive earthquake. The prime minister has decided to observe Eid Al-Fitr with "sobriety and solemnity due to colossal loss of life and property" Information Minister Sheikh Rashid told reporters. Eid Al-Fitr is one of the most important festival in the Islamic calendar which marks the end of the fasting month.
http://www.islamonline.org/English/News/2005-10/22/article07.shtml
