The Saudi aid campaign for the drought-ravaged Somali people raised SR112 million at the end of the campaign Tuesday. This is in addition to hundreds of tons of dates, food and various medical supplies from all parts of the Kingdom. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti and Chairman of the Board of Senior Ulema, had earlier urged all citizens and residents to contribute to the campaign ordered by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior and Supervisor of the Campaign, had extended the campaign to include Tuesday. He urged wealthy citizens and residents to contribute generously. The Saudi Economic TV Channel was tasked with covering the campaign while other channels were broadcasting Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Chairman of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, made a donation of SR5 million through Alwaleed Foundation. The donation was announced live during the televised campaign. Sheikh Khaled Bin Suliman Olayan, Chairman of the Board of the Saudi British Bank (SABB), announced the bank's donation of SR1 million. Somali Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Abdullah Mohammad thanked King Abdullah and other leaders as well as the people of Saudi Arabia for their contributions. “King Abdullah's call for launching the campaign to alleviate the suffering of the people of Somalia who are reeling under severe drought and famine is a great humanitarian initiative showing his kindness and support to those who are distress,” he said while appearing on Saudi television's campaign program.
