JEDDAH, 17 October 2004 — Education Minister Dr. Muhammad Al-Rasheed said he would not allow collection of donations from schools and colleges that seek to exploit the sensibilities of the holy month of Ramadan.
“Our schools are not meant for collecting money for unofficial parties. We will not allow anybody to collect donations from schools and other educational institutions under the ministry,” said Dr. Al-Rasheed.
Donations must be collected through official channels. The minister’s statement came after security agencies confirmed that terrorist elements had exploited donations given during Ramadan to bankroll terrorist attacks.
There are nearly five million students and an estimated 500,000 teachers in Saudi schools, colleges and universities. “If any male or female teacher is found collecting donations, they will be questioned and punished according to the law,” said Dr. Al-Rasheed.
A high-level security source on Thursday cautioned citizens and foreign residents against purchasing vouchers allegedly meant to fund fast-breaking meals for the needy during Ramadan, saying the money could end up in terrorist hands.
“It has been proven that some members of the deviant group collected big amounts of money by selling (vouchers) for fast-breaking meals in mosques and elsewhere,” said a security source in reference to suspected Al-Qaeda sympathizers.
“Interrogation of some of those involved in criminal acts, including murder and destruction in some cities of the Kingdom confirmed that they collected money by selling vouchers for fast-breaking meals, taking advantage of people’s love for charity... especially during Ramadan,” he said.
Urging both citizens and foreign residents not to be duped by the coupons, the source also stressed that any charitable donations should be made through authorized charitable organizations.
Saudi Arabia has clamped down on suspicious money as part of a crackdown on Al-Qaeda militants blamed for a string of terror attacks, which have killed around 100 people and wounded hundreds in the past 18 months.
Dr. Al-Rasheed also denied reports that studies in Ramadan would be reduced to one week. “There is no truth in these reports at all,” Okaz quoted him as saying. Eid Al-Fitr holidays at government schools start on Nov. 3.
“Ramadan is a month of action and hard work, not a month of laziness and sleeping. Most battles fought by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had taken place during Ramadan,” he pointed out.
