Dr. Ismail Maritheri of KAU and Mamoon Al-Azami of IDB with delegates attending the workshop. (AN photo)

Wednesday 7 November 2012

JEDDAH: Muslim NGOs have been urged to make their activities transparent to remove suspicions, establish better relations with governments and respond effectively to smear campaigns aimed at tarnishing their image.

“Deliberate attempts have been made to discredit Muslim NGOs and charities by linking them with extremism and terrorism. We should respond to these allegations in an intelligent and effective manner,” said Dr. Ismail Maritheri of King Abdulaziz University.

Giving a presentation on NGO Leadership at the community development workshop organized by the Islamic Development Bank, Maritheri emphasized the need to train students and community workers on how to respond to such allegations in a positive manner.

“We should respond to smear campaigns intelligently instead of reacting violently,” said Maritheri, an academic and trainer, who has obtained his doctoral degree in creativity.

Mohamed Rifai, who represents IDB Graduates Association in Sri Lanka, pointed out that some Muslim NGOs were accused of misappropriation and misuse of funds. “Funds collected for some charitable works are not fully utilized.”

Rifai called upon Muslim NGOs to learn from their counterparts in the US and Europe that work with a clear planning, and do their work silently without giving much publicity. “They have good links with the governments and communities and they are not suspected.”

At the same time, Muslim NGOs fight with one another and boast about their work. “They use most of their funds for building mosques and madrassas and neglect important community needs such as poverty alleviation, healthcare and education,” Rifai said.

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http://www.arabnews.com/muslim-ngos-urged-make-activities-more-transparent