Katara festival raises over QR148m for Gaza relief
In an exemplary show of solidarity with the people of Gaza, donations from Qatar crossed QR148m in one night.
Katara had launched Solidarity Festival in support of Gaza on Friday, in cooperation with Qatari Red Crescent, Qatar TV, Al Rayyan TV and q.media.
During the opening of the festival, donations poured in from all sections of society, including individuals, student unions, companies and financial institutions.
Qatar Petroleum emerged as the largest institutional donor with an announcement of QR10m.
Qatar Islamic Bank, Commercial Bank and Al Rayan Bank donated QR3m each while Al Ahli Bank, Qatar International Islamic Bank, Doha Bank, Al Khaliji Bank, Qatar Electricity and Watar Corporation and Rasgas donated QR2m each. Barwa Bank donated QR2.5m while Qafco and Qatar Steel QR1m each.
Major donations from individuals totalled QR21m with one individual announcing a donation of QR10m.
Qatar Student Union in United States and Al Sailiya Club donated QR100,000 each. Some other companies also announced major donations to show their solidarity with the people of Gaza.
Sheikh Thani bin Abdulla Al Thani, Chairman of Dar Al Sharq donated QR250,000.
Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) and Katara held a press conference yesterday at Katara to announce the donations, in the presence of Palestinian Ambassador, Munir Ghannam.
The QRC President, Mohammed bin Ghanem Al Ali Al Maadheed, said the campaign to provide aid for Gaza will continue, and called on the public to participate in the campaign not just with financial support, but also with media and political support through the use of traditional and social media to condemn Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Al Maadheed said QRC was cooperating with Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross to deliver donations to the people of Gaza.
QRC has an office in Gaza that is coordinating with the Palestinian Ministry of Health to estimate the needs of the people in terms of clean water, medicine, shelter and electricity.
The General Manager of Katara, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, thanked everyone who participated in the festival. He said the festival aimed to aid the Palestinian people living through a horrific humanitarian crisis and Katara’s role in supporting humanitarian causes that promote charitable and aid work.
Donations can be made by phone or at any of QRC’s check-points and offices.
The Peninsula | Photo: WeAreQatar on Twitter
A Muslim... I can answer this question for you. If it was not for this Base we are talking about, Saudi Arabia, Iran will be at the door steps of Qatar now. I can tell one thing, Qataris officials are not naive when it comes to politics; they are using this base as a leverage to push their agendas. In my opinion, all are good agendas.
good move (y)
the best way to show your support is simply boycott israel products in qatar.
Folks, It's not so simple to understand all this . ............................ ......................... Sun, 10.08.2014, 09.17 hrs
I have a Question
America is the biggest supporter of Israel and also funding them
then why Qatar has US Military Base?
Solidarity Festival all we can do????