RIYADH: Donations to a Saudi campaign to raise funds for those affected by the Syrian conflict have exceeded SR382 million ($102 million), an official has said.
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, supervisor-general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) confirmed that the popular campaign ordered by King Salman is still ongoing.
“The campaign’s donations until today (Monday) amounted to SR382,800,868,” Al-Rabiah said in a press statement, noting that the center operates and distributes relief within Syria through partners under a KSrelief supervisory team.
The Saudi National Campaign to support Syrians continues to provide relief to displaced people in northern Syria within the initiative it launched under the title “For you, O Aleppo.”
The campaign has delivered basic relief items to the Turkish-Syrian border region, specifically in the area of Bab Al-Hawa.
Khaled Al-Salama, director of the Saudi National Campaign office in Turkey, said that the initiative comes after the recently bloody events in Aleppo.
“The convoys loaded with relief materials were allowed to pass after coordination with the concerned Turkish government agencies to ensure that these aids are delivered to beneficiaries and to cover the largest possible number of displaced Syrians in the camps bordering Turkey from the Syrian side,” Al-Salama said.
Dr. Badr bin Abdulrahman Al-Samhan, regional director of the campaign, stressed that the relief effort “is a confirmation of the sincere stand with displaced Syrian brothers, who are suffering a lack of humanitarian and relief services since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, in order to fill their needs and alleviate their suffering.”
The aid delivered to the people inside Syria include 400,000 coats, 176,000 large blankets, 188,000 blankets for children, 288,000 sets of heavy clothes, 144,000 winter shirts and 172,000 women’s shawls.
KSrelief: Donations to Syria aid campaign exceed SR382 million
KSrelief: Donations to Syria aid campaign exceed SR382 million
Klija Festival in Buraidah empowers small businesses
- Half a million attend 15-day celebration of heritage; event creates 1,500 seasonal jobs
RIYADH: The 17th Klija Festival in Buraidah drew more than half a million visitors during its 15-day run, celebrating the region’s heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.
Organized by the Qassim Chamber of Commerce, the event highlighted small businesses, providing a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase local products.
More than 340 sales outlets, marketing corners and points of sale welcomed attendees, while the festival provided 1,500 seasonal job opportunities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The small business pavilions featured families in the cottage industry, artisans and startups presenting traditional foods, and handicrafts and heritage items that reflect the region’s identity.
Participants said that the festival was a key marketing platform, boosting sales, increasing brand awareness, facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering connections with organizations supporting SMEs.
Mohammed Al-Hanaya, Qassim Chamber secretary-general and festival supervisor, said that the event brought together families, artisans, SMEs, companies and institutions, stimulating commercial activity, opening direct marketing channels and enhancing economic returns.
He added that the festival provided seasonal jobs for more than 1,500 young men and women across operations, marketing and services, supporting the labor market, empowering national talent, and connecting youth to the events and creative economy.
Klija, a traditional cookie made from wheat flour, dates or sugar, date syrup and natural ingredients such as cardamom and lemon, is a rich source of energy, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and natural proteins.
A cultural icon rooted in Qassim’s traditions, the cookie has gained international exposure through the festival, expanding the availability of packaged products.
Starting next year, the festival will be renamed the International Klija Festival, a rebranding approved by Qassim Gov. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal, who described it as a “successful model for turning local initiatives into global economic engines.”
This year’s festival, held at the King Khalid Cultural Center, included international participants from Egypt, Turkiye and Morocco, marking its evolution into a cross-cultural platform.
