Raising funds to repair mosques damaged or ruined by the Jeddah floods isn’t going to be permitted without express permission of the authorities, report Saudi Gazette/Okaz. The Saudi government clamped down on charitable fund raising after it was learned that many so-called charities were, in fact, nothing but covers for terrorist groups. They government isn’t going to relax that stricture simply because a flood turned Jeddah upside down. I think this is a good example of staying ahead of the curve.
No donations accepted for damaged mosques: Ministry
Taleb Bin MahfouzJEDDAH – The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, and Guidance has warned against collecting donations for repairing flood-damaged mosques in Jeddah from anyone, including charity societies, unless instructed otherwise by the Makkah Emirate.
The ministry said that it has deployed teams to assess the damage incurred by 30 mosques in Jeddah’s flood-hit districts, vowing that the ministry will repair and furnish them.
Abdulaziz Hanfi, chairman of the Jeddah Charitable Qur’an Memorization Society, said that the society has also sent teams to check on the flood damage of facilities used for Qur’an memorization sessions. – Okaz/SG
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December:04:2009 - 16:06
I am worried it is an example of staying behind the curve ie preventing humanitarian efforts and charity to innocent Muslims out of a fear of terrorism.
December:04:2009 - 17:02
Perhaps there can be a temporary agency similar to the Red Cross in function that can collect any funds for mosques and then it can be distributed to the facilities in need. That way people are assured that it is going to the mosques and the mosques have a centrl body they can apply to for aid.
December:04:2009 - 19:04
The Red Crescent is the Red Cross equivalent in Muslim countries including Saudi. There might also be room for other international aid societies but the assumption seems to be that Saudi can pay its own repairs, and aid.
December:05:2009 - 12:05
Chiara…
Yes, one would think that they could handle those repairs themselves. Is there a “clearinghouse” type of association in Saudi where these donations can be sent so that people are assured that it isn’t falling into the hands of terrorist organizations and that it actually is going toward the repair of Mosques? Perhaps the Ministry can set something up or have they? But they(Saudi citizens), like here, are probably not thrilled to send money to the government to “safeguard” for the people. It tends to disappear down a rat hole.
December:05:2009 - 12:08
LMAO about the rat hole…
oby that was revelation
December:05:2009 - 12:26
The government does have a list (thought I don’t know where it might be published) of ‘authorized’ charities, including things like the Red Crescent. I think the current effort is to prevent free-lancers popping up with donation boxes who simply allege that it’s for mosque reconstruction.
December:05:2009 - 13:47
Unfortunately crises and tragedies attract raqueteers and profiteers, so there is wisdom in being cautious about charities. Having a responsible charities list is something that was also done for Katrina and the Thai tsunami.