RAF Calls Benefactors for Funding QR 25 Million Overseas Projects

Doha, July 15 (QNA) - Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF) announced that it intends to implement several overseas projects after obtaining the necessary funding from benefactors and philanthropists in Qatar. General Manager of RAF Foundation Ayedh Bin Dabassan Al-Qahtani, said that the cost of these projects exceeds QR 25 million, and they include mosques, drinking-water wells, and orphanages in about 15 countries, calling on benefactors and philanthropists in Qatar to support and finance these projects that benefit Muslims in those countries. Al-Qahtani told a press conference held today that the projects will be presented to the philanthropists via the charitable projects center, which will start early Ramadan at Hayat Plaza Complex and will also be announced through the media and other means of promotion and advertising. He also revealed other Ramadan projects such as the Iftar (fast breaking) food basket, Zakaat Al-Fitr, which is to be distributed in 37 countries around the world, along with continuing the relief campaign of the Syrian people which collected, so far, more than QR 34 million. Al-Qahtani also announced the intention of RAF to launch a relief campaign for Muslims in Burma, saying that the campaign launch is subject to the completion of the necessary permits. He noted that RAF, in the planning of projects and initiatives, puts the local community as a top priority, but does not overlook the needs of Muslims across the world, for their support and assistance in various aspects like food, health, education etc. For his part, Board of Trustees Foundation Member Hassan Al-Sulaiti explained that the charitable projects center, to be opened at Hayat Plaza Complex, aims to receive donations for RAF, from institutions and individuals, during the month of Ramadan only and to organizing a special exhibition on the Al-Aqsa Mosque to urge donors to support charity projects there. With regard to the Iftar (fast breaking meal) projects outside the State of Qatar, the Projects Management in RAF Jassim Al-Shammari, said that the foundation allocated more than QR 3.8 million for these projects, which cover 37 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. He pointed out that sum of QR 300 thousand is allocated for the Ramadan competition which RAF sponsors every year in the Republic of Comoros. According to RAF statistics there are 22 overseas projects in progress for the years 2011-2012 with a total value of about QR 44 million. (QNA)