RIYADH, 30 October 2003 — The current restrictions on charitable organizations in the Kingdom have affected the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY). It was supporting thousands of poor students and orphans around the world, in addition to the Palestinians who are keeping the Ramadan fast under the most trying circumstances created by the Israelis.
This was noted by Dr. Saleh Al- Wohaiby, secretary-general of WAMY, at a press conference at WAMY headquarters last night.
It was announced that WAMY’s food basket program would start on Wednesday when 100,000 food baskets each worth SR100 would be distributed among the poor all over the Kingdom.
Referring to restrictions placed on charitable and philanthropic organizations, Dr. Al-Wohaiby said he understood from the Saudi authorities that the restrictions were of a temporary nature and would be lifted as soon as an accountability system to ensure transparency in operations was in place.
In the meantime, he said, the temporary halt in scholarships and other forms of financial assistance to poor and indigent Muslims had compounded their plight.
“The measures have affected all those who were benefiting from our program. There were thousands of orphans who depended upon our monthly allowance. We were also helping poor families with no resources to fall back upon. Our brothers and sisters in Palestine have also been affected. All this is not in line with what we are supposed to do as Muslims which is to help those in distress.”
