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November 4, 2005 |
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THE SAUDI RED CRESCENT OFFERS MORE SERVICES TO HUMANITARIAN CAUSES. The board of trustees of Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz Charitable Project for Housing held a number of meeting to assess projects achieved and future projects. A number of subjects on the Agenda were discussed and Dr Abdul Aziz Ibn Ahmad Al Massoud Secretary General of the project announce a review of all the achievements. Within the framework of the charitable work achieved through the Project Riyadh Governor Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz inaugurated the second charitable housing project in Badeea, comprising 124 housing units. He commended the spirit displayed by Saudis in philanthropic activities. "We have so far received donations worth SR250 million for the charitable housing project," the governor told the opening ceremony, adding that the second housing project was implemented at a total cost of SR32 million. He also spoke about an SR100 million endowment scheme that would generate revenues for the operation and management of charitable projects. "All these projects should have an endowment to ensure their continuity," he stated. A 10,000-square meter plot of land on King Fahd Road in Riyadh has been bought for the endowment project. Prince Salman expressed his happiness over the generous support by affluent Saudis toward their less fortunate compatriots. "As I have said before, every Saudi will be ready to pay his or her Zakah and Sadaqat once they learn that their money benefits the deserving," the governor told the gathering, which included a large number of businessmen and philanthropists. Prince Salman toured the housing units after unveiling the commemorative plaque. He also opened a social activities center at the complex. More housing projects will be opened under the scheme in the coming years. Ibrahim Al-Asheikh, secretary-general of Al-Birr Society, said the charitable project provided model houses for the poor. "So far we have constructed 453 housing units under the project named after Prince Salman," he said. In his speech, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh urged wealthy Muslims to support their less fortunate brethren deriving inspiration from the teachings of Islam. On the other hand Riyadh Governor Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz underscored the government's efforts to promote higher education by establishing new universities and encouraging the private sector to open more institutions of higher learning. Prince Salman made this comment at the opening Al-Yamamah College and the first international exhibition on higher education in Riyadh. He noted the efforts being made by universities and colleges to train thousands of young Saudis. Al-Yamamah College, which offers academic programs in business administration and information systems, was established at a cost of SR150 million, according to Khaled Al-Khudair, chairman of the board of trustees. "We received a loan of SR32 million from the government," he said. "The government's move to expand higher education has given opportunities to the private sector to establish colleges in order to train both Saudis and expatriates in all subjects required by modern economies," Prince Salman said. He expressed his satisfaction at the opening of a number of private colleges and universities in various parts of the country. According to Dr. Mohamed Al-Saleh, secretary-general of the Higher Education Council, the Higher Education Ministry has given preliminary licenses to some 60 investors for the establishment of private colleges in various parts of the country. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has allocated SR12.5 billion from this year's budget surplus for educational and training projects; this includes SR4 billion for the construction of new college and university buildings. There are now 12 government universities and an additional three are under construction in Jizan, Hail and Al-Jouf. In his opening address, Prince Salman stressed the importance of the exhibition, saying that it would help exchange information and expertise between participating universities and improve higher education programs in Saudi universities. He later watched a presentation about the college. Ahmed Al-Eissa, president of Al-Yamamah, said courses began last year after four years of intense preparations, with about 400 students. He said the college could accommodate up to 2,500 students in its business administration program. The college campus is designed to provide a state-of-the-art instruction facility and the best educational environment. "Al-Yamamah focuses on quality, integrity, fairness and progressive yet practical education," Al-Eissa said. It also offers an American-style education and curriculum in English. "We give the utmost importance to training and have opened a center for administrative development with a separate facility for women," the president told delegates attending the opening. The center offers training in administration, English language and computers. Al-Yamamah College seeks to attract the most talented students who demonstrate the likelihood of success in their chosen programs of study. Students seeking admission must submit a graduation certificate from a Saudi secondary school or a recognized secondary school from outside the Kingdom recording at least 70 percent marks. Meantime Riyadh Governor Prince Salman has urged businessmen and philanthropists to support the humanitarian activities of the Charitable Society for the Care of Orphans (Insan). "Serving orphans is our Islamic duty," he stated. Addressing the charity's annual fund-raising ceremony, Prince Salman said Insan, which was established in 1999, had spent SR130 million for the welfare of more than 14,700 orphans during the past six years. "The society provides moral and material support to orphans in order to help them stand on their feet," said Prince Salman, who is chairperson of the charity. "We also found jobs for 500 male and female orphans last year after providing them with necessary training," he explained. The governor gave awards to 35 businessmen and four charitable organizations which support the society and its humanitarian projects. Prince Salman later donated SR2 million to the society. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the grand mufti, gave a speech commending the society's activities. He emphasized the importance in Islam of taking care of orphans and protecting their rights. "We should not only take care of their living requirements but also bring them up to have good morals," he said. Upon his arrival at the hotel, Prince Salman was received by Prince Faisal ibn Salman, chairman of Saudi Research & Marketing Group and chairman of the Resource Development Committee. Hamoud Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Badr, secretary-general of the foundation, thanked Prince Salman for coming, noting that the governor had been supportive of the charity since its foundation. Al-Badr mentioned in his speech the society's achievements over the past several years in looking after orphans. The number of orphans benefiting from the society's services is 14,758. He said the orphans are supported while living with their relatives as donations are given out to them amounting to 3,152 families. Saleh Al-Yousef, director general of Insan, said the society was a specialized one to care for Saudi orphans in Riyadh and support them as they live in their homes with their relatives. He said that this kind of caring was best since it provided the child with financial and emotional needs while living with relatives who love them. Al-Yousef said that the society supports the orphans primarily in three ways: 1. Periodical donations. These are what is given to the orphan on a monthly basis. They include foodstuffs, money and clothing. The society takes into consideration the feelings of relatives when they are summoned to receive money from the society so it has a new method of providing the family with an electronic ATM card and depositing the money for the child. Coupons are also given out to families for shopping in commercial centers. The annual amount spent on this program is SR2.5 million. 2. Emergency donations. Money is given to pay rent, buy furniture, pay public utility bills or buy home appliances which are necessary for family life. A special team evaluates the family's needs and estimates what is needed. More than SR5 million was spent on this program last year. 3. Seasonal donations. Things that occur at different times of the year - buying school materials, distributing meat during Haj, buying Eid gifts and paying the costs of performing Umrah and Haj for orphans and widows. Nearly SR2 million was spent on this program last year. The charity also provides educational, social and psychological support by visiting the orphans at home and asking about their needs. It also coordinates with public and private sectors on behalf of the orphans. The society rehabilitates, trains and employs orphans. Some SR1.4 million was spent last year on this program and 500 male and female orphans benefited from it. On the other hand Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz Governor of Riyadh has pledged to extend all support to the Saudi Red Crescent Society (SRCS), which is involved in a number of humanitarian projects in the region. Prince Salman made the pledge while inaugurating an SR47 million new nine-storied office complex for SRCS. The inaugural ceremony of the new SRCS building was attended by Health Minister and a number of officials from Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross societies. The new complex, covering an area of 6,000 square meters in north Riyadh, has an ultra-modern auditorium, a spacious area for a permanent exhibition, and an underground parking lot besides modern office rooms, utilities and storage facilities. Prince Salman reiterated that "the Kingdom will continue to provide assistance to different countries, which suffer either because of war or of natural calamities". SRCS, which is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, provides first aid and emergency medical services by operating about 150 medical centers and branches throughout the Kingdom, in addition to four mobile clinics and more than 500 ambulances and medical evacuation helicopters. It also plays a special part in caring for the millions of Muslim pilgrims during the annual Haj. The Saudi Red Crescent Association offers instant , efficient and advanced medical Relief Services for Citizens and residents of other Countries in the Kingdom in normal conditions and disasters and contributes in promoting health awareness by Citizens in addition to joining rescue efforts inside and outside the Kingdom in accordance with Islamic values and regulations and professional rules , the Association adheres towards showing its Humanitarian aspect and to consolidate its relations with Public and private Organizations of concern regarding its local and international activities and takes an interest in keeping its cadres well trained , qualified and motivated. Saudi Red Crescent Association seeks through carrying out its Humanitarian efforts to achieve the following goals : To provide Medical Aid Services For the Community inside the kingdom in pre- Hospital Stage. To provide the best Medical Aid Services for Performers of Hajj and Umrah rituals. To contribute towards providing various humanitarian relief works offered by the Kingdom. To contribute towards intensifying training Programs for the individuals in the Community regarding proper First Aids basics and ways to avoid accidents. The Start and Establishment: The Charity relief Association took the responsibility of providing aid Services in the Kingdom for over 29 years since the year 1354 H till 1383 H offering Services for performers of AL Hajj and, Umrah rituals and visitors of Prophet's Mohammad honorable Mosque , whereas the kingdom has witnessed an increasing growth during this period , where deserts and wild lands were transformed into prosperous green oasis , major Cities were constructed in different areas in the Kingdom , densely populated with citizens and residents , also small villages were flourished and grew , distances were shortened by virtue of modern means of Transportation that made travelling an enjoyable experience . Trade and industrial activities has noticeably witnessed a major growth . As a result of this major change It was necessary to be accompanied with Aid Services , a new dawn has emerged in the year 1383 h ( 1963 ) represented in the emergence of a new mission represented in providing Aid and relief Services for the Citizens and residents living on this pure and virtuous soil , who came to this Country from all directions. Efforts and Services offered during the last charitable Relief Stage that was established in 1354 h which was limited on providing Medical relief Services for Hajj and Umrah rituals performers and for the visitors of Prophet's Mohammad honorable mosque in addition to offering Services for citizens in the cities of Mecca , Al Madina, Jeddah and Taif. A new daylight has emerged as a result of circumstances accompanied the transformation took place in that period , where a genuine interest has emerged by the wise leadership in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasizing on improving public facilities and services in the Kingdom giving health Sector much of its concern and attention ,which included aid and relief Services , that gave its directions for the concerned authorities to conduct researches and studies aiming at coming up with a scheme for Aid Services especially directed and offered for citizens , Pilgrims and visitors making use of other countries own expertise in this field , as these efforts has resulted in issuing a generous royal decree No 1 on 16/1/1383 hijri , in which it was approved the setting up of a national Association carrying the name of " Saudi Red Crescent Association " of legal personality for an unlimited period of time , with a Main Office located in Riyad, as the generous decree that carried the signature of his Royal Highness prince Faisal bin Abdel Aziz AL Soud's the vice king stated that Charitable Aid Association should be considered the core of Saudi Red Crescent Association , the Decree has indicated that Mr Abdel Aziz AL Mudarris the under secretary of Health Ministry to become the chairman of the newly born Saudi Red Crescent Association ,which had an advantage over other similar Societies for being located in the land of the two holy mosques which visited by Hundreds of thousands of visitors from everywhere. A Royal decree draft was issued in advance by the Cabinet with the idea of setting up Saudi Red crescent Association upon which the current decree no 1 on 16/1/1383 ) was based . Main draft law of Saudi Red Crescent Association was put forward according to the resolution No 151 -2 dated on 5/8/1383H, issued by premiership bureau stating that the Association Activities and services should cover various provinces of the kingdom and its laws should be based on Geneva Agreements and principles approved by International Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies. A draft resolution No 262 was issued by the Cabinet on 6/4/1386 regarding the main draft law of the Association. Articles of the Saudi Red Crescent Association main law that was issued according to a noble royal decree No M/14 on 12/4/ 1386H came to accompany the growth taking place In the kingdom of Saudi Arabia corresponding to the most noble Human missions taking its legitimacy from the true religion of Islam, that calls for Noble values such as Peace, love, Mercy and Sympathy. International accords and treaties did not ignore what has been mentioned in Geneva Treaty to be able to realize and achieve the values of this noble human mission apart from any prejudice or favoritism based on religion , race or attitude. |
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