JEDDAH, 11 January 2007 — Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali, president of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), yesterday emphasized the bank’s intention to increase the number of scholarships given to outstanding students in non-member countries as part of the bank’s efforts to promote the development of Muslim communities there.
“We are studying prospects of increasing the number of scholarships,” Dr. Ali told Arab News.
An informed source said IDB was planning a five-fold increase in the number of scholarships distributed annually. The bank currently offers 500 scholarships every year and 7,731 students in 56 countries have so far benefited from the program.
Earlier, addressing the concluding session of a four-day community development workshop organized by the bank’s Special Assistance & Scholarship Program Office, Dr. Ali urged the delegates from 22 countries to work diligently for the development of their communities. “Most of you have performed Haj this year and attained greater strength to work for the community,” he told representatives of leading Muslim NGOs who act as IDB’s official representatives in their respective countries.
“Muslims in many parts of the world are going through difficult times and we hope that the new Hijrah year that begins on Jan. 20 would usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for the Islamic world,” the IDB chief said. “We as believers should have faith in the future and a vision and mission for a better future,” he said.
Dr. Mohammad Salem, head of IDB Special Assistance Office, said the workshop was aimed at creating a dream team of leaders to devise long-term community development plans. He said the workshop focused on key areas such as leadership training, alleviating poverty, activities planning, fundraising for projects and how to implement IDB special assistance projects.
Adel Sindi, program officer at IDB’s Scholarship Program Office, said the bank has so far spent $55 million on the program. He emphasized the role of NGOs in making the program a success.
Participant Yasmin Jeetoo of Islamic Society of Mauritius said she learned a great deal from the workshop about how to carry out humanitarian projects in a professional manner. “I hope more women would be given the chance to attend future workshops,” she added.
