The International Diplomatic Club, in collaboration with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, organized a charity bazaar titled "Al-Joud Bazaar" to support the children of the Gaza Strip who have been facing Israeli aggression since October 7th last year.
The bazaar witnessed significant attendance from public figures, institutions, and Kuwaiti companies, along with a notable participation from the Kuwait Red Crescent Society with over 40 volunteers.
The bazaar featured a variety of items, ranging from baked goods, food, and supply items to clothing, heritage pieces, art, accessories, jewelry, carpets, ornamental plants, cosmetics, and more.
It is expected that the final amount raised by the bazaar will exceed 100,000 Kuwaiti Dinars (more than 300,000 USD), with the proceeds dedicated to supporting the children of Gaza and projects for medical treatment and medications in the sector.
Solidarity with Gaza
The Palestinian Ambassador to Kuwait, Rami Tahboub, praised the large turnout at the bazaar, noting that it reflects widespread solidarity with the people of Gaza amid the aggression and genocide.
Tahboub stated to Al Jazeera Net that organizing the bazaar came at an appropriate time and gained significant momentum, contributing to keeping the Palestinian cause alive and vibrant.
He mentioned the participation of more than 60 embassies in the bazaar, including those from countries that support Israel, demonstrating a distinction between humanitarian and political stances.
Tahboub highlighted the organizing committee's efforts over four months, mentioning delays due to national events in Kuwait and their commitment to organizing other events that reflect the difficult situation of the West Bank residents.
Palestinian Heritage
Rima Al-Khalidi, Vice President of the International Diplomatic Club and head of the charity bazaar committee, explained that the idea for the bazaar started with the club and materialized after the aggression on the Gaza Strip, leading to the initiative to support Gaza's children by Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah, wife of the former Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah, and honorary president of the diplomatic club.
Al-Khalidi mentioned to Al Jazeera Net that the Palestinian state's booth at the bazaar showcased most of the Palestinian heritage items, including ceramics, embroidery, olive wood, olive oil, and well-known Palestinian foods.
Embassies Assistance
Abdulrahman Al-Oun, General Manager of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, explained that the society participated with about 40 volunteers to assist embassies in the sales process and collection of funds to be deposited into the account of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, which will then be used to purchase relief materials for the children of Gaza according to need.
Al-Oun added to Al Jazeera Net that coordination would be with the Palestinian Red Crescent and international organizations, noting that the Kuwait Red Crescent Society has been continuously providing aid to the people of Gaza from the first day of the aggression on the sector and is currently preparing to launch a ship of relief aid from Kuwait's Shuwaikh port to Port Said in Egypt, in preparation for its entry through the Rafah crossing into Gaza.
Notable Turnout
The charity bazaar demonstrated significant solidarity with the people of Gaza, reflected in the remarkable turnout for purchasing items across different sections.
Heba Abu Hajleh, an adviser at the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and supervisor of sales operations at their booth, mentioned that the bazaar was exceptional in terms of turnout, noting that attendees were not concerned about the prices of items for sale, as they came to offer support to the children of Gaza.
She added that more than 75% of the items on sale, including food and supply items or products made from Dead Sea salts and mud, traditional clothing, exceeded sales of 10,000 Kuwaiti Dinars.
Hama Hanawi, owner of one of the companies participating in the bazaar, mentioned that she offered traditional clothing made by Palestinian women from camps in Palestine, Jordan, and Chicago, USA, designed in a modern way, with proceeds generally going to the women in Gaza and their families.
Hanawi pointed out the significant engagement from attendees, driven by a sense of obligation to contribute something, even if small, to the children and people in general in the Gaza Strip, evidenced by her sales reaching approximately 4,000 Kuwaiti Dinars.
Source: Al Jazeera