An economy within which there is a gross imbalance between excessive wealth and abject poverty is definitely suffering from great social and managerial maladies. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has surely realized this situation and is working toward tackling the problem. He has assiduously encouraged officials to tackle the issue since touring poor neighborhoods in Riyadh on Nov. 24, 2002. The tour highlighted the situation of people living in poverty.
The king has issued various decrees to the benefit of the less well off. New homes have been built, social insurance payments have been increased and employers have been invited to work together toward solving the problem.
King Abdullah has issued a decree to establish charitable funds to eradicate poverty and help the poor to become participants and contributors in developing society, rather than just consumers and users of welfare and social services.
Charitable institutions aim to create and support projects that develop the skills and talents of poor people and provide them with loans to better themselves. King Abdullah has also issued many other decrees to decrease the influence of businessmen who dominate the economy and frivolously spend their money in futile things.
It is always the responsibility of every citizen, especially if he or she is an educator, writer or media person, to emphasize the issue of eradicating poverty. Excessive wealth among certain classes within Saudi society has become very common. It is rather difficult to comprehend that in a rich and wealthy country such as ours with all its fortunes there are people who can’t afford to eat, find shelter and access health facilities.
As for people who question the true extent of this problem they should really search, investigate, ask and listen to different real life stories that are documented. Students in schools are skipping classes because of poverty. Many can’t afford to come to school and need to work to help support their families.
Observing the Saudi stock market we learn that this country has a lot of wealth and money. Many stockowners seem to compete with smaller investors using their enormous fortunes. Many of these smaller companies end up becoming bankrupt. Some other private companies and employers have negative attitudes toward citizens of this country, especially the poor. They refuse to embrace and hire them, preferring to employ foreigners with an aim of saving money and adding to their fortunes.
Is this how these rich people show their gratitude to their country? Is this how they contribute to fulfill the Islamic duty of serving humanity?
