“A bride came in her wedding day and donated all her jewels to the people of Gaza. Similarly, a begging old woman donated all the money she collected and was very sad when the money raisers had rejected to accept her donations. A motorist donated his motorbike for Gazans despite the fact that it was the only source of income for his family.”

Under the religious duty, Yemeni people have shown a wide reaction to the sufferings of people in Gaza and the constant massacres by the Zionists. They also offered as much as they can to reinforce the resistance of the people in Gaza.   

Yemen Post: We would like to know the means for raising money and donations. Is there anything new about the new campaign?

Mohammed Al-Adeel: Society has different means and techniques adopted in this campaign; however, the situation in Gaza prompted the Yemeni people, males and females, young and elderly people and other factions, to contribute as much and accessible as possible. This made it necessary to adopt new means and upgrade the previous ones. Among these means is using the media outlets including press advertisement and banners hanged in the streets and public places as well as Friday sermons, medals, pens and pictures. There has been a specific phone number for people and donors to call and donate. The association's different bank accounts are being announced to the public. We also make field visits to markets and public places together with festivals and activities conducted nationwide.

YP: How do you assess people's enthusiasm for the campaign?

MA: The Yemeni nation is a great nation and it was described by Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) as the people of support. Yemenis are the people of help and espousal. They, in cities or rural areas, offer as much as they can despite their bad economic situation.

YP: Have you noticed a difference between this campaign and former campaigns?

MA: Undoubtedly, the difference is wide. The past campaigns were routinely done and they were just made for lifting the siege, for education, supporting orphans, etc., but this campaign is exceptional. Our people in Gaza are subject to a massacre and it is a religious duty for every individual to support his fellow brothers of Gaza. The least thing they can offer is to donate money for them. This great interest is shown for all institutions and organizations working in the name of Palestinians. 

YP: Is your campaign limited to capital cities?

MA: Al-Aqsa Association is present in all Yemeni provinces and some major districts. Its offices and volunteers are present across the republic. The association has wide experience stretching for 18 years and this enabled it to have existence nationwide, whether in cities or villages. 

YP: Under the Israeli assault, is your institution capable to deliver aids these days?

MA: All year round, we have fixed obligations including care for orphans, building charitable projects inside Palestine and we have our own means to deliver these aids to our people in the Palestinian lands. Right now, we are forced to use Rafah border outlet.

YP: What has your association supplied since the first day of the assault?

MA: Since the first day of assault against Gaza, we have, in collaboration with associations and syndicates in Cairo, supplied different aid campaigns. We are also preparing for medical aids including 15 ambulance cars because most ambulance cars were exposed to the bombardment as well as the increased number of casualties.

YP: Do you Have special methods to let aid  into Gaza through Rafah border outlet?

MA: All parties, whether official or public, coordinate with the Egyptian Red Crescent. Aid materials are accumulated in Rafah outlet and there are no special ways under the current circumstances. In the past, we used to coordinate with charity associations inside Palestine or through bank transfers.

YP: What about the means through which you assure the donors that their donations are delivered to people really in need?

MA: Among the means for enhancing the trust of donors is the complete transparency over raising and distributing the money and donations. We have a special position because we are a charity and human organization. When implementing a charity project in Palestine, we use media to document it and we give the donor official receipts.

 YP: What is the volume of money collected by the campaign so far?

MA: I cannot tell the exact figure because the branch offices have not yet sent the sums they collected. Yemenis are generous and what they offer could partly help alleviate the sufferings of people in Gaza. 

YP: Who are the most generous groups and do you have techniques for raising money and donations from women?

MA: For sure. We have a women sector in the capital Sana'a and other provinces. Yemen womeni are showing immense sympathy with Gaza people and they offered what their resources and income allow. Women are also more sympathetic and they play an important role in raising the donations and making protests.

YP: To whom do you give the collected sums and are they meant for supporting resistance?

MA: I would like to draw that attention of all people to the fact that we are a charity association and our prime task is to implement human and charity projects. Supporting resistance and factions is not in our agenda. We just care for orphans, build destroyed houses and implement development projects like mosques, hospitals, schools, etc.

YP: Can you give us some exemplary stories of grace and donation during the last campaign here in Yemen?