Expatriates lined up to donate blood for Haj pilgrims at the King Fahd Hospital-Jeddah (KFHJ).

Expatriates from India and Sri Lanka flocked together in Jeddah to donate blood for Haj pilgrims this week.

The event, held at the King Fahd Hospital-Jeddah (KFHJ), was organized by the Jeddah region of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), a social organization from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Approximately 129 units of blood were collected from 129 donors among the 165 volunteers who came to donate their blood to help the Hajis.

The volunteers who donated blood on Friday pledged to continue their contribution on a regular basis in the future.

The KFHJ lab team, led by Ali Omar Hamad, provided full support to TNTJ volunteers.

Dr. Imad, chief at KFHJ Blood Bank, thanked TNTJ for organizing the blood drive and continuing to do this noble work. Further, he said, so far in the KFHJ blood donation campaign, TNTJ is the only organization that has been contributing immensely to the cause, with such large numbers of donors in each campaign.

“TNTJ organizes voluntary blood donation campaigns for emergency requirements for Haj season. By the grace of Almighty Allah, TNTJ will continue to be No. 1 in the voluntary blood donation campaign in the Gulf country. And in recognition of their noble contribution, TNTJ has been feted repeatedly by the Ministry of Health both here in Saudi Arabia and by the Tamil Nadu state government,” Jeddah TNTJ Vice President Naina Mohamed said,

TNTJ also regularly performs educational, charity, humanitarian and social services to serve the people. These events help in improving harmony and also create awareness about Islam, he added.

A standard health screening procedure was done prior to blood being donated. Each donor underwent tests for blood pressure, sugar and hemo globin count before the donation. The checks also included for communicable diseases.

The majority of donors said that they are indebted to TNTJ and KFHJ, and their services will help the guests of Allah.

At the end of the campaign, hospital authorities related that such campaigns create awareness among Saudis and expatriates.