I have a question about Muslim countries donations

[gizmo1979]

to the tsunami relief fund?Why are there donations so small?I mean 5 million from Kuwait that's pocket change.Anyone have any clue?

[LynnTheDem]

1. Well...

1. Got a credible link showing this?

2. Many Muslim nations are very poor.

3. bush's original offer from the wealthiest nation on the planet was $15 million; that takes "pocket change" to a new low.

[lenidog]

2. With Kuwait

it could be that they fund a hell of charities in the Islamic world and money is tight. Also they aren't as rich as they once were. The Iraqi invasion saw to that. 5 million is from the government but also I would expect if the keep to their usual practices the royal family will at least double that.

[Egalitariat]

6. How did the Iraqi invasion hurt Kuwaiti national income?

The price of oil doubled with the invasion and oil is their entire economy.

I would have guessed that the Iraqi invasion was a financial windfall for Kuwait.

[lenidog]

9. Remember

The Iraqis torched every single oil well in Kuwait, destroyed all the machinery and stole all the spares. So they had to be rebuilt and the fires put out. Then the Iraqis stole everything that wasn't nailed down and heavily damaged the infrastructure of the nation. The Iraqis made the Mongol Horde look like amateurs when it came to looting and pillaging.

[Jesus H. Christ]

15. Yup.

Kind of ironic that we're doing the same thing to Iraq that they did to Kuwait.

[Egalitariat]

36. Yeah, but that was 14 years ago. Not only has Kuwait been rebuilt

but all the things that were rebuilt have probably been upgraded since then. Kuwait is in fine shape.

[bloom]

38. Actually - Iraq owes Kuwait quite a bit of money (0ver the war)

which of course they don't have.

Madelaine Albright's company and the Carlisle group were competing over who could be the collection agency and get a cut. See Naomi Klein - she know all about it.

[Princess Turandot]

52. I read recently that their 'net income' last year was $100 billion dollars

someof which was distributed to their citizens. They ain't poor.

[demosincebirth]

3. Shhh, don't ask.

You'll be labeled as anti-muslim

[Jesus H. Christ]

18. With good reason.

It's kind of like asking, "how come Jews are so god damned greedy?"

[Darranar]

Or, alternatively...

"why aren't the poor paying as much taxes as the rich?"

[Jesus H. Christ]

29. Or

"how come niggers is runnin' around raping our white women?"

[Guaranteed]

37. So why can we ask why Americans are so damned greedy, then?

Which I, incidentally, have no problem with...

[Jesus H. Christ]

39. Are you seriously having trouble understanding?

Or are you just goofing around?

[Guaranteed]

41. Yeah, I am. Why not fill me in on the difference?

It's one thing to call Jews greedy, because that's been used to oppress and kill them for centuries.

But who else has that been used against? Why can we call Americans that, but not Muslims?

Why, exactly, is it that we're not allowed to call a filthy rich oil-based country greedy?

[Jesus H. Christ]

42. Who's oppressing and killing Americans?

You know what? Forget it.

Bigotry this blatant doesn't come around very often, if you can't see it then there's no point arguing with you.

[Guaranteed]

43. Who's oppressing and killing the Saudi Royal Family, and the

Kuwaiti royals?

They're the ones with all the money.

I thought we called them greedy-ass bastards all the time. Remember? The whole financing the terrorists thing, and being great friends with the BFEE?

[Jesus H. Christ]

44. Kind of like saying...

since Michael Jordan is rich, that proves there isn't any racism anymore.

[Guaranteed]

45. LOL I never said there isn't racism anymore.

In fact, racism is making a massive comeback. I see it on the Yahoo boards all the time.

It's disgusting.

I reserve my right to call the oppressive Middle Eastern oil regimes greedy-ass bastards, though.

[Jesus H. Christ]

46. Naw, but you live in the most Islamophobic country in the world...

and you don't notice a thing.

[Guaranteed]

47. I just said racism is making a massive comeback.

I've started numerous threads on it, in fact.

I'd show em to ya but the advanced search isn't working.

I do think the original poster for this thread might have infiltrated, though. I wouldn't have made this post, that's for sure.

Again, though: Fuck the Saudi Royals.

[48pan]

23. They're not Republicans butt...

They are loathsome, greedy bastards.

[Jesus H. Christ]

31. Who?

Muslims or Jews?

[sam sarrha]

4. in Islam everything is a test of ones faith, apparently suffering is a

personal test.. it appears that it isn't Kosher to intervene in another's test...

I learned that in my life a resident Capricorn, fixing things and helping others when in need.. sometimes people just need to learn to deal with stuff.. i changed my approach to guiding them to resources and encouraging them to go for it.

it does seem strange that the Moslem's dint give squat to another group but the Tammel Tigers are certainly bitching and whining about not getting what they demand as their share.. but it is difficult taking it thru the mine fields and graves...

The BIG DIFFERENCE is that one group is Arab and the other is not..
the arabs seem to be extreme eletists and pretty stuck on themselves for being special as the desendants of the Prophet.. i think the problem is raceist and not religious... that is exactlly what is happening in Darfur, InterReligious Raceist Genocide..

I did not mean to insult anyones religion, being that i dont give a rats ass if i insult everyones religion. i am tired of being told i am going to hell because i am not born again..or not some chosen eletist. i keep telling them i believe in reincarnation.. i got them beat, i am born again and again and again and again..

[lenidog]

5. There is a pecking order

in Islam even if they wont admit it. The Arabs think they are better than any non-Arab Muslim with the Iranians think they are better than the Arabs. While the Turks think they are better than all of them because they kicked all their asses.

[PsychoDad]

56. Suffering is also a test...

Of how quickly and how much we will help our brothers and sisters in humanity when they have a need.

Muslims are like everyone else.

Some observe the teachings, others just pay it lip service.

[Darranar]

7. Because Arab governments are just as greedy as every other...

For what it's worth:

Kuwait's GDP: $41.46 billion

US GDP: $10.99 trillion

Kuwait's donation: 5 million

US donation: 350 million

The US GDP is more than 200 times Kuwait's GDP, yet their donation is merely 70 times larger.

Merely something to consider.

[sushi]

8. I'm wondering about that too

Saudi Arabia is donating $10 million, which is nothing to what they've given the Palestinians. I hope they'll top it up.
I heard, on CNN I think, that the Arabs seem to care more about other Arabs than about non-Arab Muslims. I hope it's not true! Surely they don't want to be accused as being racists. The tsunami victims who are Muslims can see most of the help coming from Christian nations/people.

[Robbien]

24. This is just another media deflection tactic.

Let's call everyone else stingy, but don't look over there at the wealthy miser Bush relaxing on vacation down at the pig farm holding on tight to his "pledges".

[Jesus H. Christ]

26. This is a media hate tactic.

Right up there with Goebbels.

[Robbien]

10. This same question is being asked all day by right wing hate radio

They have said look at how generous Bush is and look at how "stingy" the dirty ole muslims are.

Why are you making this into a race? And even if this was a race Bush will lose. What do you want to bet that Bush's "pledge" never materializes.

[achtung_circus]

12. Or

that "operating" costs for the fleet that is responding is calculated as part of the "donation".

[sushi]

40. I believe that!

I understand 'aid' to developing countries usually includes the big salaries of the 'experts' that accompany that aid money.

[Solafide]

11. Did their prophet say anything about giving all your money to the poor?

[Jesus H. Christ]

14. Yes, he did.

Muslims are famous for their charity.

[lenidog]

17. Yes he did

Its supposed to be one of the most important pillars of their faith.

[Solafide]

21. Do you have a source?

[Jesus H. Christ]

25. The five pillars of Islam.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Pillars_of_Islam

I think it's funny. Conservative Christians are always saying how the US is a Christian country. And it says right there in the Bible that rich people go to hell if they don't give their money away. Yet here's the United States, the richest country in the world, and one of the stingiest.

[lenidog]

33. The Koran

but Jesus beat me to it while I was talking about parakeet infestations

[PsychoDad]

54. I'm a Muslim

Will I do as a source?

The Prophet (SAW) said that the man who could sleep at night while his neighbor is in need was not a beliver.

And as JHC has stated, charity is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Along with the statement of Faith, Prayer and Fasting, charity or Zakat is a requirement of the faith. Each year Muslims are required to give between 2.5 and 5% percent of all savings or investments. This is not a thithe for upkeep of the Mosque, that is given seperatly, this is money which is to be given directly to the poor, muslim or non muslim. There is also the eid al fitir zakat which is also given to the needy at the end of Rammadan, depending on where you live this is an average of $8-12 dollars per person in your household.

Beyond this Muslims are taught to give all the charity they can. Islam teaches that wealth comes as a trust from Allah, not to be used only for our ownselves, but for the good of our neighbors and communities. In other words, we are given wealth so that we can give it to those who need it.

Muhammid (saw) stated that even the poorest of us can give charity. Charity isn't just money, sometimes it can be a kind word, or even just a smile.

Here is a link
http://www.islamicity.com/Video/iis/Zakat.ram

Salaam

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bobedwards]

65. Just kidding, man

But I am joining the Marines. Just felt like saying something stupid.

[Jesus H. Christ]

13. Their donations are significantly larger than US donations.

Accounting for population and other factors, Saudi Arabians are donating about $3.00 per person. In Qatar it's about $250 dollars.

No compare that with 12 cents for Americans.

Stick that in your hood and smoke it.

[Solafide]

16. We need facts and data.. not smoke.

[Jesus H. Christ]

20. then choke on this.

http://www.juancole.com/2005/01/middle-eastern-contributions-to.html

[Solafide]

30. Read your site - says USA is giving 2X as much as Saudis

The announced Saudi contribution of $10 million is probably about $0.66 cents a citizen on a per capita basis ...

The USG is now pledging about $1.19 cents per person ($350 million).

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Darranar]

34. In relation to GDP, the Saudi donation is higher. n/t

[achtung_circus]

35. Thanks for reposting that.

Ever since this thread started I've been searching for that site. Couldn't remember where I'd seen it earlier.

[hfojvt]

22. Americans are up to $1.10 or so

but still well below Saudis and even Kuwait by above posts.

[Jesus H. Christ]

28. Libya is more charitable.

nt

[demosincebirth]

60. I don't think so.

Where do you get your information?

[Jesus H. Christ]

61. In the link.

nt

[AlCzervik]

19. How did the Bush crime family donate?

[Robbien]

27. Scotty said they are "thinking" about what amount to give

Don't hold your breath.

[Megawatt]

51. Might not want to get into that kettle --

Theresa could match the US contribution if she cared to.

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LynnTheDem]

49. The original "traditional American Christmas" was NO Christmas;

It was BANNED.

Amazing isn't it, how the supposed President of the United States of America doesn't know his own country's history.

[Jackie97]

50. How do we know that's pocket change?

They might need the money for something else. The Muslim countries aren't typically rich.

[PsychoDad]

55. In the Gulf states

A great deal of national income is invested in government social programes and government funded education and health care.

Things which I think our country should invest in.

I'm not sure about Indonesia or Maylaysia

[gizmo1979]

63. there are no poor kuwaitis

Trust me.All there laborers are from somewhere else.

[LynnTheDem]

67. ExSQUEEEEEZE ME???????!!!

??????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!

[blondeatlast]

70. You haven't heard that the HF is offering online social studies/geography

courses for credit?

HF is tax-exempt, so you KNOW they are utterly fair and balanced, of course...

[LynnTheDem]

73. ROTFLMAO!!!

You made me swallow my mint from laughing! LOL!!!

[Princess Turandot]

53. Hey with all this debate about whose cheap and who isn't..

has everyone posting in this thread made their individual donation to one of the tsunami charities?

[PsychoDad]

57. Kingdom Triples Its Aid for Tsunami Victims

Kingdom Triples Its Aid for Tsunami Victims
M. Ghazanfar Ali Khan • Arab News

RIYADH, 5 January 2005 — Saudi Arabia has tripled its assistance to Asia’s tsunami victims to $30 million. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd directed that the $10 million donation announced earlier by the Kingdom be raised to $30 million “in light of the size of the tragedy and the losses” suffered by the countries affected by the disaster, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah have instructed the Saudi Arabian Television to organize a telethon to collect donations for the victims. The telethon will be held tomorrow, Thursday, with phone-in addresses appearing on the screen.

Meanwhile a delegation from the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) left for Jakarta to participate in tomorrow’s summit of world leaders to discuss the scale of disaster and how to rebuild the devastated region.

Most Saudis are reluctant to make public their charitable contributions, viewing this as a form of boasting, but many told Arab News they had decided to go public after foreign news stories accused Gulf states of being stingy in responding to the Asian calamity

More at
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=57116&d=5&m=1&y=2005

[Bridget Burke]

58. We've already heard this Right Wing Talking Point

But thanks for keeping us posted on Rush's latest diatribe....

[blondeatlast]

69. Damn considerate, isn't it?

Even though they rarely have time to return to their original threads, they take time out of their busy schedules to offer these lovely, unattributed, tidbits.

Yawn...

[Zero Division]

59. The donations are not that small in the context of per capita income:

Looking at the donations in absolute terms would be unfair.

Juan Cole explained this recently in his blog:
http://www.juancole.com/2005/01/middle-eastern-contributions-to.html

[hel]

62. 5 million dollars in Middle East

IS a lot of money. The royal families, dictators etc. might be swimming in oil money, but the people are as poor as ever. They dare not give any more money openly to anybody.

[blondeatlast]

66. Posted last night. Still no check-in from the OP.

That says everything I need to know about the allegations.

[LynnTheDem]

68. Yep.

His "no poor people in Kuwait" post decided it for me.

[Forkboy]

71. I think this thread is sadder than the tsunami ones

can we get rid of these threads too?

[bobedwards]

72. Who's donated?

I'm back after a period of inactivity. There's a lot of whining and bitching about who's giving what to the Asians, so I want to know which of you have personally made donations and for how much? I haven't donated jack because I don't really care, and I ain't complaining about what governments are doing what, so I want to know how many of you guys have reached deep in your pockets to help them out the best you can. Many expect other governments, including our own, to donate a lot more money in spite of national deficit problems and other stuff, but are unwilling to make their own donation. Some compassion, huh? At least I'll admit I don't give a damn. We obviously can't give millions in aide, but you can write a check for at least a hundred dollars, or however much is a lot relative to your income. If you truely think we and other nations are being "stingy" then pull out your check books, cause lots of others are doing the same. I say those who aren't personally donating, even if for a small amount, aren't qualified to say Uncle Sam or Kuwait is being stingy. I'm not hard hearted, but I really don't care enough to donate. My point is that I hope those who do feel compassion about this donate, otherwise why the hell complain about others?