King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, donated SR30 million to give the countrywide fund-raising campaign in aid of the Gaza Palestinians a strong boost at its launch Saturday across Saudi Arabia. The 11-hour telethon that started on Saudi TV at 4 P.M. as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Campaign for the Relief of the Palestinian People in Gaza, raised SR94, 459,313 by midnight. The telethon opened with two pediatric societies contributing medical equipment worth SR250,000, and that set the pace with donations pouring in from callers immediately afterwards. Some 150 participants talked to Saudi TV from the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet's Mosque in Madina, and Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, explaining the plight of the Gazans and condemning the poor international response to Israel's continuing bombardment of the territory. Jamal Al-Shoubaky, the Palestinian Ambassador to the Kingdom, said in his appeal: “The whole world should immediately do something to stop this catastrophe – every single minute means more innocent bloods.” “We need medical treatment and basic food supplies,” he said. The ambassador expressed gratitude for the donation campaign called for by King Abdullah, Custodan of the Two Holy Mosques, noting that the King was moving politically to discuss with world leaders ways to stop the Israeli assault. King Abdullah has also issued urgent directives to airlift wounded Palestinians to Saudi hospitals. Al-Shoubaky said that what the Palestinians really need is an end to the Israeli attacks on innocent people in Gaza. Dr. Saleh Al-Wohaibi, general secretary for the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), described the fund-raising campaign as humane. “Even if those attacked were non-Muslims, we have to lend them a hand. It is truly a calamity against humanity,” said Al-Wohaibi. One businessman from the Eastern Province donated 30 ambulances of the year 2009 model. Thousands of Saudi citizens and expatriates, men, women and children, gatherd at donation centers Kingdom-wide. All sports stadiums and Saudi TV centers in the country's 13 governorates would remain open round the clock to receive donations. Many international satellite TV channels have also contributed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' campaign to support the Gazans. “All WAMY centers are open day and night to receive donations,” said WAMY assistant secretary general, Dr. Mohammed Badahdah. The collection process is closely monitored by committees of local authorities. Separate halls have been allocated for female donors. Many women gave, in addition to cash, their jewelries to help the Palestinians. In Dammam, the Sharqiya Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a separate internal fund
