The oft-expressed idea that we carry out our charitable work at home instead of abroad needs some examination. Many in the Kingdom, especially in the opinion pages of our newspapers, have pointed out that there are thousands within the Kingdom who are as deserving of help, if not more so, than those outside.

This is undeniably true: Our brothers at home deserve our help. At the same time, however, I think we should answer the following question honestly: Does helping people at home mean that we have to stop helping those outside? Would it be right to isolate ourselves? Would it be right to say in effect that we are not sending donations abroad because we have our own problems? And does that not mean that our charitable role outside the Kingdom is at an end? Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam. Does that not entail a responsibility to help the needy beyond our borders?

There is a problem here. The developed world is trying to convince us that any relations between two Muslim countries may be looked upon as a terrorist act, and they want to establish the belief that Islam is a religion of evil.

We must question ourselves and decide why we send donations abroad. Charity means using money to buy what is required. But charity also means more than simply feeding hungry Muslims wherever they are. It implies a message of Muslim brotherhood in these troubled times when the Ummah is being assaulted on all sides.

We should certainly do what we can for poor people in the Kingdom. We should not throw uneaten food away when the poor would be happy to receive it. We should watch how we spend our money to make sure we spend it on things which will bring us rewards from God. But when Americans donate money to poor people in other countries, does anyone conclude that there is no poverty in America?

All developed countries have problems with poverty yet they recognize no problem in helping those beyond their borders. If those countries are allowed to help the poor — both at home and abroad — why can’t we do the same?

- Arab News From the Local Press 3 September 2003