RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, in cooperation with the Kingdom’s embassies, has completed its King Salman program that saw the distribution of food to needy people in 34 countries around the globe. Since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, more than 97,063 food baskets and 37,180 iftar meals have been distributed to 1,060,475 individuals. The ministry also organized more than 24 group iftars in several countries. Islamic Minister Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al-Sheikh thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for continuing to support the world’s poor. The minister said that this year’s aid was considerably more than last year’s because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the ministry, there were Ramadan baskets distributed in several countries, including 10 in Asia, 16 in Africa, four in Europe, and three in Latin America and Australia. Jordan received 990 Ramadan baskets, distributed to 9,900 beneficiaries, while in India, 30,000 food baskets were distributed to 300,000 beneficiaries. A total of 7,016 food baskets were distributed in Pakistan benefiting 70,160 fasting people, and in Thailand, 3,000 baskets were distributed to 30,000 beneficiaries. A group iftar was held for 15,000 fasting people in Malaysia, and 12,500 food baskets were distributed in Indonesia, in addition to 5,000 meals for 130,000 people. In Kazakhstan, 350 food baskets were distributed to 3,500 beneficiaries, and 3,500 in the Philippines for 35,000 fasting people. The ministry also distributed food in nations including Mali, Djibouti, South Africa, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Argentina and Tajoura. The ministry stated that it would continue to support Muslims during Ramadan and other times of the year.