RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Saudi Arabia launched a telethon Sunday to raise money for Iraqis affected by the U.S.-led war, the official Saudi Press Agency said. More than $2.3 million was raised in the first three hours, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef said during a live telephone call with state-run TV.
The telethon, which was called by the oil-rich state’s King Fahd, was held as part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to help Muslims all over the world, said Nayef, who also supervises the Saudi Committee for Rescuing the Iraqi People. He said the decision to stage the telethon came “from a desire to satisfy God.”
“Our aid for the afflicted in the world is not for earthly purposes or publicity objectives,” Nayef said. “Such aid is guided by our Islamic principles and authentic values.”
Saudi Arabia’s official news agency reported later that the prince donated about $533,000 to the Iraqis.
while Prince Ahmed bin Abdel-Aziz donated about $266,000.
Last week, a five-truck caravan of humanitarian aid arrived in Baghdad from Saudi Arabia, carrying food, medicine and other supplies – including equipment for a mobile field hospital. A team of Saudi surgeons accompanied the convoy.
Saudi Arabia officially opposed the U.S.-led war on Iraq but provided strategic support to the coalition’s military campaign that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime.
AP-ES-04-27-03 1719EDT
Send questions/comments to the editors.
