JEDDAH, 20 May 2008 — A two-day seminar on “Specialization and Integration of Charitable Organizations” concluded here on Sunday, after adopting a number of important recommendations to strengthen charitable activities in the Kingdom and abroad.
The seminar was organized by the Riyadh-based World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY).
Dr. Muhammad Badahdah, assistant secretary-general of WAMY, said the seminar was aimed at improving the overall performance of charitable organizations.
“It is a good opportunity to discuss issues related to the specialization of charitable work, making use of the experience of others in the field,” Badahdah said in his opening address at the seminar.
Dr. Muhammad Abdu Yamani, former minister of information and a well-known philanthropist, emphasized the importance of seeking media assistance to promote charitable activities. “The media plays a constructive role in our society,” he added.
Yamani called for greater cooperation among charitable organizations. “Integrated work will lead to success,” he said.
Ihsan ibn Saleh Tayeb, a social consultant who presented a paper at the seminar, spoke on the development of charitable activities in Saudi Arabia.
Many charitable organizations in the Kingdom now provide specialized services in the areas of housing, humanitarian work, supporting youths who need financial support to get married and providing assistance to poor kidney and cancer patients.
“There are 447 charitable organizations registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs,” Tayeb said. As many as 367 of them are general charities while 80 are specialized, he pointed out.
Hamid Wali, director of the Social Affairs Ministry’s branch in the Western Region, emphasized his ministry’s support for Qur’an learning centers and dawa activities. “About 10,000 people have embraced Islam through our offices across the Kingdom,” he added.
Dr. Saleh Al-Wohaiby, secretary-general of WAMY, presented a paper on the role of public and private sector organizations in the specialization and integration of charities. “Specialization has become very important these days as a result of the diversity of activities,” he pointed out.
Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Ali, president of the Islamic Development Bank, spoke on the role of donor agencies in the development of charitable organizations, while Dr. Ali Al-Henaki presented a paper on the present and the future of civil society organizations.
Abdul Wahab Noorwali, Samir Fakhru, Humaid Al-Shaiji, Owaish Al-Harbi, Yuslim Al-Shaiba, Ali Badahdah, Wael Julaidan and Adnan Al-Bar were other speakers.
