Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 6 August 2023 - HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal chaired the first meeting of Al-Quds Empowerment Fund's Board of Trustees at the Islamic Development Bank headquarters in Jeddah. The meeting was attended by Dr. Hiba Ahmed, Director General of the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), and members of the Board of Trustees who are representatives of chambers of commerce, corporations, and Arab development institutions.

HRH Al-Faisal praised Saudi Arabia’s role in upholding the just rights of the Palestinian people since the time of its Founder, HRH King Abdul Aziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him. HRH emphasized the Kingdom's steadfast positions in favor of the State of Palestine.

Prince Al-Faisal went on to commend the efforts of the IsDB and the ISFD in financing the Al-Quds Empowerment Fund, noting that the establishment of the Fund under the auspices of the IsDB represents a new dynamic beginning for the charitable and developmental work in the city of Al-Quds. Prince Al-Faisal praised the members of the Al-Quds EF’s Board of Trustees for their participation and contributions to the Fund and their keen interest in supporting the City of Al-Quds and the Palestinian people.

HRH also praised the efforts of IsDB President, Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, and his support for the Al-Quds Empowerment Fund, as well as the efforts of Dr. Hiba Ahmed, ISFD Director General, and the other Fund’s donors. Both the founder donors of the fund, headed by Mr. Munib Rashid Al-Masry, and the new donors who signed the donor’s contribution agreements in support of Al-Quds Empowerment Fund.

Dr. Hiba Ahmed welcomed the chairmanship of HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal of the meeting and the pioneering role of Saudi Arabia in championing the rights of the Palestinian people, highlighting the keenness of the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development to boost the success of the Al-Quds Empowerment Fund and increase its resources.

In his speech on behalf of the donors, Mr. Munib Rashid Al-Masri commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman, for their stances and support for the Palestinian people. He also lauded the efforts of the IsDB and ISFD in supporting the Palestinian people.

In a virtual intervention, Mr. Mohammad Jassem Al-Saqer, Chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, praised the efforts of HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal and the IsDB and stressed the commitment of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry to support the fund.

During the meeting, many proposals regarding the support and development of Al-Quds resources were discussed.

Al-Quds Empowerment Fund Board of Trustees includes:

•           Sheikha Suad Al-Sabah

•           Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Kamel

•           Mr. Yousuf Al-Kuwari, CEO, Qatar Charity

•           Dr. Majid Al-Azmi, Director General, Kuwait’s Zakat House

•           Dr. Mustafa Al-Sayed, Secretary General of the Bahraini Royal Charity Organization

•           Mrs. Maha Al-Barjas, Secretary General of the Kuwait Red Crescent

•           Mr. Marzouq Al-Otaibi, General Manager of the Kuwaiti Nama Foundation

•           Dr. Khaled Hanafi, Secretary General of the Federation of the Arab Chambers of Commerce

•           Dr. Ibrahim Al-Arabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Arabi Factories Group

•           Mr. Khalil Haj Tawfiq, President of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce

•           Mr. Munib Rashid Al-Masry

•           Mr. Michel Al Sayegh

•           Mr. Salah Al Musherji

•           Mr. Osama Madi