RIYADH, 1 January 2008 — The latest Haj saw legions of volunteers offering help in myriad activities, from providing assistance to lost pilgrims to offering free food for thousands.
The concept of charity, which is a solidly ingrained value in Islam, has been an institution in Saudi Arabia for almost as long as the country has existed.
In 1936, the Charity Ambulance Society to serve the guests of God was established. In 1964 the group became the Saudi Red Crescent Society.
In June this year, the General Administration for Volunteerism was established with departments (staffed by men and women) in Madinah, Jeddah, the Eastern Province and Riyadh.
Although there is huge work carried out by known charitable organizations and societies, be it under the umbrella of government or private establishments, many services go undelivered when it comes to volunteer work.
“It is very essential to try and work with other establishments, organizations and societies as well as individual scattered efforts,” says Fawzia Akhdar, director of the Department of Women Volunteer Programs and Committees. “This would enable us to maintain organized work and a database in the field of volunteer work.”
Akhdar said that the government could do more to encourage volunteerism in society.
“When Prince Sultan Bin Salman (chairman of Disabled Children’s Society) proposed introducing volunteer work at the kindergarten and first grade levels, the Ministry of Education put a hold on the project without presenting any reasons,” she said.
When a young group of high school girls visited King Faisal Specialist Hospital during Eid, offering presents and sweets to children with cancer, they had to pull some personal strings (known locally as “wasta”) to be able to know where to go and channel their good deeds.
Akhdar recommends that volunteerism be encouraged as a way to improve one’s chances of college admittance or for winning scholarships.
“Money is not the only way to volunteer, there are many means of paying back your society through what you know best or what you are specialized in,” she added.
The key to the success of volunteer work in the Saudi society, according to Akhdar, is building awareness not only among people but also decision-makers, to help create a concept of volunteer work as early as childhood.
While the concept of volunteering is deep-rooted in Islam, many Western countries do more to push forward volunteer work and greater emphasis is placed on it. “Western societies practice behaviors closer to our religion (than we do),” Akhdar said.
