Khaldon Azhari 

TOKYO:  The Society of Wives of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of Missions in Japan (SWAAJ) organized an Arab food bazar on Thursday to raise funds through UNRWA for the children of Gaza.

The event was held at the residence of the Algerian ambassador to Japan Mohamed Al Amin Bencherif, where booths for food boxes and other items made by the participating embassies were served. 

Coupons were sold to people who visited the bazar, worth ¥3,000 yen (about $27) per person.

President of SWAAJ, Mrs. Amira Bencherif, the wife of the Algerian ambassador, who hosted the event, told Arab News Japan: “All the proceeds we collected will be sent to children in Palestine. Following the Israeli attacks against Gaza, we felt it was our duty to organize something to help the children who suffered from military attacks. As mothers, we consider it our duty to do something to help the children of Gaza.”

Mr. Takashi Sato, chairman of DAiSEi Corporation also expressed his support: “I decided to come from Hakone [near Tokyo] to attend the event with my employees to support Gaza children.”

Mrs. Maali al Majaidah, wife of the Palestinian ambassador to Japan Waleed Siam, said the event was successful as it attracted a lot of visitors and friends who showed solidarity with the Palestinian children. She expressed appreciation for the Japanese people who supported the Bazar.

The embassies that participated in the Bazar included Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Djibuti, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.