RIYADH, 13 March 2007 — Over 60 local and international specialists representing government and non-government organizations will highlight the role played by volunteers to support their programs at the 2nd Conference on Volunteer Work inaugurated on Sunday evening by Interior Minister Prince Naif.

The event was attended by Saudi Red Crescent President Prince Faisal, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism and secretary-general of the Prince Salman Disability Research Center, Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Manie, and other senior officials.

The three-day conference will discuss volunteer work in preserving natural resources, helping orphans, building shelters during natural disasters and ways to emphasize the culture of volunteer work. It will also highlight the experiences of many establishments, such Saudi Red Crescent, Saudi Scouts Association, the Muslim World League, the World Assembly for Muslim Youth and other philanthropic societies.

“The subject of the conference is of extreme importance which is volunteering in righteous activities,” said Prince Naif during his inauguration speech. “This illustrates the importance the Saudi leadership gives to promote volunteer work.”

Prince Naif said he did not need to highlight the humanitarian role played by the Kingdom in several of its initiatives to help other nations during disasters, noting that it was an Islamic duty.

He said, however, that the greatest humanitarian duty a person could show toward his fellow human being was assisting him in times of crisis and need.

Naif said the goodwill and humanitarian gestures showed by members of the community in the Kingdom stemmed from God’s blessings to the Kingdom and its implementation of Islamic Shariah.

On his part, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijiri, deputy president of Saudi Red Crescent and head of the conference organizing committee, said Saudi Red Crescent was keen on the participation of several national and international establishments in the forum to maximize sharing experience and promote voluntary work.

He noted that over 140 scientific papers would be discussed in the conference.

He said promoting volunteerism among several of the Kingdom’s establishments was part of the country’s development.

Al-Tuwaijiri gave several examples on how the Kingdom was a pioneer in voluntary work since its founding. He cited the role played by the Kingdom’s founder King Abdul Aziz in ordering the establishment of the first Saudi charitable ambulance association in Makkah in 1926.

The association, which offered emergency medical services to pilgrims free of charge, later became the Saudi Red Crescent Society.

He also said the Kingdom has supported humanitarian work by establishing numerous charitable associations all over the country. “Volunteers play a large role in the Kingdom in health care centers, propagation centers, relief work and orphanages,” he said.

Al-Asheikh said Islam has surpassed other civilizations of the world in voluntary and charitable work. He pointed to the second pillar in Islam was Zakah, which obligates Muslims to give a portion of their wealth every year to the needy.

He also gave many examples of how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged charity work by mentioning God’s reward for good doers.

“Islam is a religion of mercy, a religion of good will and charity and voluntary work,” the mufti said.