Muslim Charities

      The generous and immediate response of the world community to the tsunami disaster that took more than 150,000 lives and left millions homeless in a matter of moments was touching. It was a spectacle of nations and peoples, forgetting all differences, reaching out to help victims in an affirmation of our shared humanity. The $350 million donated by America, Japan's $500 million, Saudi Arabia's $30 million, and the hefty contributions by many others represent only governmental efforts. Public contributions are outstripping those of governments in many countries. Oxfam, Red Cross, Save the Children Fund and various UN agencies are on the ground making a superhuman effort to save lives. 

      But the response from comparatively richer Muslim Arab nations, barring a few exceptions, has been poor so far. Muslim charitable organizations, unlike their Western counterparts, have failed to come forward. That is inexcusable. Muslim charitable and religious organizations must increase their welfare activities. A people whose religion puts such a heavy stress on charity must not only raise funds to provide food, clothes and medicine to the victims, but must also send volunteer teams to rehabilitate the displaced people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives, and Somalia. 

      Rich Muslim nations have a bigger responsibility to raise donations, increase awareness among the masses for help, encourage donors and organizations to provide food, shelter, clothes and medicines for the tsunami sufferers. 

      Those like Pakistan, Malaysia, Egypt, Libya etc., who may not be able to make heavy contributions in money, can contribute by sending troops for rescue operations. In addition, rich Muslim governments, organizations and companies should send doctors, engineers, and humanitarian workers to share in the work of rebuilding the victims' life. 

     
      M. Ashaq Raza, Asmara, Eritrea, published 6 January 2005 
     

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