RIYADH, 27 August — The Riyadh-based World Assembly of Muslim Youth has declared that it will expand its presence despite lawsuits filed against it and other Muslim organizations by the victims of Sept. 11 attacks in the US.
“We are going to set up offices in New Zealand, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where there is a growing interest in Islam,” Dr. Saleh Al-Wohaibi, the new secretary-general of WAMY, told Arab News.
Currently, it has offices in 59 countries around the world. He said Western media attacks against WAMY and other charitable organizations had sparked greater interest in Islam and related activities. As a result, they have decided to launch new activities, such as organizing educational and training camps, Dawah caravans as well as undertaking support activities in terms of building mosques, schools, orphanages and drilling wells.
Referring to the lawsuit filed against it, Dr. Wohaibi said they were seeking legal advice in the matter. He regretted that the case was being filed on the basis of a “basket of accusations” against them despite long-standing friendship between Saudi Arabia and the US going back to 70 years. He blamed the Zionist-controlled media and anti-Islamic organizations in the US for jeopardizing these relations. Asked about the impact of such attacks on WAMY, the secretary-general said it had the opposite effect of triggering greater interest in Islam and WAMY activities.
“We are receiving queries from Hispanic Americans, Mexicans and the people of Eastern and Southern Europe, including Serbia. We have distributed Islamic literature and copies of the Holy Qur’an. Our number of summer activities will also be increased from 200 to over 250 next year,” he said, adding that an important element in the growth and development of WAMY is the decentralization of its activities. This has enabled the regional heads in their decision-making process.
Dr. Wohaibi disclosed that WAMY is planning to bring out French and Spanish editions of its monthly magazine, ‘Muslim Youth’, to cater for the needs of Hispanics, the French and French-speaking population of Africa. “They are receptive to the message of Islam and we feel it necessary to reach out to them through the ‘Muslim Youth’. Similarly, the needs of the Muslims of Central Asia need to be addressed. So we will be moving in that direction.”
In reply to a question on WAMY activities in the US, the secretary-general said that as yet there were no restrictions either on their representative office or its funds. Similarly, no complaints had been received from its offices in Brazil, Canada, EU countries, South Africa and South America, where its activities are progressing smoothly. “
We continue to function normally. After all, we have no hidden agenda. There is transparency in our operations and accounting system. People trust and support us despite all the media bashing.”
Asked about the upcoming conference on “Muslim youth and Globalization”, he said it would be held as scheduled at the King Faisal Hall, Riyadh, from Oct. 29 through Nov. 1. Over 500 participants from outside the Kingdom are expected to attend the conference, which will also feature panel discussions and in-depth analysis from researchers. “We are expecting over 1,000 guests from 78 countries. Some 10 hotels have been booked for the event, which will focus on the challenges facing the Muslim youth,” he added.
