Islamic charities and NGOs have developed rapidly since the 1970s. They moved from a mere interpretation of the doctrine of zakat and waqf to more modern and comprehensive approaches combining the principles of Islamic charitable work and economics as well as the methods of action of Western NGOs.
Some of these charities and NGOs are now global players and they are present on the ground in regions with Islamic majorities but also in countries without Muslim inhabitants.
How do these NGO’s and charities actually perform in Arab countries? How do they work to overcome controversies over means and ends, especially after September 11th? And is it possible to define a specific Muslim approach to development cooperation and humanitarian aid?
To discuss these questions the EuroArab Forum organized a debate with:
Ms Sarah Douik, Islamic Relief Worldwide – EU Liaison Office
Moderator: Mr Francesco Guarascio, Journalist, Reuters
Strategies, methods and contents of a meaningful dialogue are centred on multiple, dynamic and overlapping cultural identities. This book is an invitation to leave the beaten tracks of dialogue events entertained by “representatives” of cultural or religious organizations. The key concept is cultural diversity between and within societies. Cultural policies can support human development as “a process enlarging people’s choices”, following orientations provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNESCO. To mark the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 2008, the author calls for renewed commitment to universal values as a “common standard to be achieved by all nations and peoples”, and not as “European values”, separating Europe from other regions.Traugott Schoefthaler, born 1949, was from 2004 to 2007 the first Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures, established in Alexandria, Egypt, by the EU Member States and their ten Mediterranean partners. He developed and tested the strategies and methods presented in this book in close cooperation with other institutions and organizations. He is theologian and sociologist and obtained his PhD for cross-cultural research. He started his career in the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education and served more than 20 years the United Nations and UNESCO. From 1993 to 2004, he was Secretary-General of the German Commission for UNESCO.
