Bahrain's Palestinian campaign raises $5.5m
Manama, July 20, 2014
A nationwide campaign in Bahrain extending a lifeline to besieged Palestinians raised $5.5 million on its first day.
Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa launched the telethon on Friday, giving the go-ahead for the televised fundraiser to run until July 25, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
"It has stirred a wide-ranging response which exceeded all expectations," RCO secretary-general Dr Mustafa Al Sayed said.
The initiative follows directives from His Majesty King Hamad, RCO honorary president, who donated $5 million to the campaign.
The week-long show will air daily on Bahrain TV from 12.30pm until midnight.
It hosted on its first day religious and national figures, including Kuwaiti Islamic scholar Shaikh Mohammed Al Awadhi, Dr Shaikh Abdullatif Al Mahmood, Bahrain Medical Society chairman Dr Mohammed Abdulla Rafea, MP Ahmed Al Saati and heads of charity associations.
"People from all age groups and those with special needs took part," Dr Al Sayed said.
He spoke fondly of children who brought their piggy banks to donate money they have been saving. He stressed the importance of the campaign in shedding light on the tragedy of Palestinians reeling under brutal Israeli occupation.
He said new donation centres will be set up at Al Waha Mall in Muharraq and Riffa. - TradeArabia News Service
