Why So Many Mosques?
Ali Al-Suwaigh • Al-Watan

An investigation into how local culture influences people’s behavior would reveal that the overwhelming majority of our philanthropists and do-gooders spend their money on building mosques. Huge amounts continue to be spent to build mosque all over the Kingdom.

Building mosques is of course a good thing. Almighty God ordered us to build places for worship and promised rewards for those who do so. Charity and divine rewards, however, are not confined simply to building mosques. Charity can operate in many fields while rewards for good deeds do not go only to those who build mosques.

Charity is not limited to one specific field as some may think. Our religion encourages us to perform charitable acts but without limiting ourselves to any specific fields. Islam leaves the door wide open for those who want to spend their money for the public good and benefit. Not only that but the rewards and benefits that come from certain types of charity far exceed those for building mosques. This is especially true if the good work answers an urgent public need. We mean, for example, building schools, hospitals, and specialized medical centers for the treatment of certain diseases, social and cultural clubs, orphanages, vocational training centers that help young people learn a skill and find work, thus reducing unemployment, helping young people of both sexes marry and start families.

The list is long and addresses the pressing needs of many people. Thus, contrary to what is believed by many rich people in this country, there are many good works that bring men and women closer to God and guarantee His rewards besides building mosques.

While the matter of Saudis funding the construction of too many mosques is sure to catch the eye of many, they may be disapointed to learn that this Saudi is complaining about building too many mosques in Saudi Arabia!

The writer of this Al-Watan piece is making a perfectly valid point: building a mosque is not the only–or necessarily the best–way to do good deeds. There are pressing social needs that need attention.

Perhaps, too, if the effort to build mosques at home is reduced, the drive to build them elsewhere might be too. At present, even the hint of Saudi funding for a mosque is assumed by many to involve terror.