Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
“Where is the Qatari Authority for Charitable Activities?” This was the focus of questions of fellow Muslim and Arab delegations who met on the occasion of the Third Conference of the Humanitarian and Civil Society Organizations in member states of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) held in Doha. There were hopes that the conference, which runs under the slogan of, “together for effective solidarity”, would be attended by the Secretary-General of the OIC. Despite his apology for non-attendance, the conference was attended by representatives from over 70 charitable and humanitarian organisations of 35 member states of the organization.
The Third Conference focused on two main issues; first, collaboration between humanitarian organizations in preparation for and response to disasters in the Muslim world, and, second, on strengthening cooperation between humanitarian organisations and the OIC. The conference is one of the most prominent projects undertaken by the Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities, which sponsored the event and contributed to its success and continuity. This was affirmed by the president of Senegal, whose country hosted the First Conference. It is surprising to find that the “Godfather” of the OIC was not present in the ceremony of the conference’s third annum, especially since it is he who was selected for this commitment since its inception.
The additional absence of Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities, which was recently dissolved after gaining prominence in the Arab and Muslim world, also raised several eyebrows. It was particularly surprising to participants from the GCC, namely the delegations of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE, who are most aware of Qatar’s experience, having studied and been guided by its pace, especially in the organisation of charitable work and humanitarian activities carried out by private associations and institutions, and building partnerships with organisations and international institutions. While some Gulf states are currently awaiting decisions approving the establishment of independent supervisory and regulatory work of assemblies and civil society institutions in their home countries in the forthcoming days, current news regarding Qatar’s dissolution of the Qatari Authority and distribution of its duties was met with astonishment. It is somewhat similar to a setback since Qatar is regarded as a leader in the region. Kuwait signed a contract last month with the British Charity Commission, overseeing and controlling beyond 200,000 British charities and launching over 15,000 charities annually, in addition to its contract with the International NGO Training and Research Centre (INTRAC), which provides civil training specialized in non-governmental charitable work and training, rehabilitation and capacity building. The irony is that the first signing of an effective partnership between an Arab-Islamic association and both the Centre and the British Charity Commission was conducted by the Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities.
The work of humanitarian institutions and civil non-profit Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) is derived from the concept of volunteer organisations that fulfill the public sphere lying in between the family and society to achieve the interests of its members. NGOs are committed to the values and norms of respect, compromise, tolerance, and peaceful management of diversity and disagreement. Adopting such values corresponds with optimal progression and social development, which ultimately results in manufacturing of civil society.
Some time ago, the Arab Network for NGOs was launched, chaired by Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The network is a unique, pioneering work.
With globalization, civil society has gained international, wide-ranging dimensions, leading to the emergence of key roles in effective institutions, and significant effects on global civic organizations. This has led civil society to play humanitarian roles across countries and continents, making significant achievements, thereby earning both deep respect and envy due to their weight from governmental and quasi-governmental organisations.
The changes that took place during the past 10 years in the structure of Qatari civil society were swift with a far-reaching impact, starting from the imposition of laws that cripple and restrict the establishment of associations, such as Law No. (12) of 2004 on associations and private institutions. Through the amendment of the Act a few days ago, the amount of capital required for the establishment of associations and private institutions was increased to a minimum of 10 million riyals, as well as the dissolution of the body responsible for planning, developing , and activating the role of civil society institutions, transferring its responsibilities to a mere department, rather than transforming it into a comprehensive, independent sector, otherwise known in today’s world as the Third Sector.
“Where is the Qatari Authority for Charitable Activities?” This was the focus of questions of fellow Muslim and Arab delegations who met on the occasion of the Third Conference of the Humanitarian and Civil Society Organizations in member states of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) held in Doha. There were hopes that the conference, which runs under the slogan of, “together for effective solidarity”, would be attended by the Secretary-General of the OIC. Despite his apology for non-attendance, the conference was attended by representatives from over 70 charitable and humanitarian organisations of 35 member states of the organization.
The Third Conference focused on two main issues; first, collaboration between humanitarian organizations in preparation for and response to disasters in the Muslim world, and, second, on strengthening cooperation between humanitarian organisations and the OIC. The conference is one of the most prominent projects undertaken by the Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities, which sponsored the event and contributed to its success and continuity. This was affirmed by the president of Senegal, whose country hosted the First Conference. It is surprising to find that the “Godfather” of the OIC was not present in the ceremony of the conference’s third annum, especially since it is he who was selected for this commitment since its inception.
The additional absence of Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities, which was recently dissolved after gaining prominence in the Arab and Muslim world, also raised several eyebrows. It was particularly surprising to participants from the GCC, namely the delegations of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE, who are most aware of Qatar’s experience, having studied and been guided by its pace, especially in the organisation of charitable work and humanitarian activities carried out by private associations and institutions, and building partnerships with organisations and international institutions. While some Gulf states are currently awaiting decisions approving the establishment of independent supervisory and regulatory work of assemblies and civil society institutions in their home countries in the forthcoming days, current news regarding Qatar’s dissolution of the Qatari Authority and distribution of its duties was met with astonishment. It is somewhat similar to a setback since Qatar is regarded as a leader in the region. Kuwait signed a contract last month with the British Charity Commission, overseeing and controlling beyond 200,000 British charities and launching over 15,000 charities annually, in addition to its contract with the International NGO Training and Research Centre (INTRAC), which provides civil training specialized in non-governmental charitable work and training, rehabilitation and capacity building. The irony is that the first signing of an effective partnership between an Arab-Islamic association and both the Centre and the British Charity Commission was conducted by the Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities.
The work of humanitarian institutions and civil non-profit Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) is derived from the concept of volunteer organisations that fulfill the public sphere lying in between the family and society to achieve the interests of its members. NGOs are committed to the values and norms of respect, compromise, tolerance, and peaceful management of diversity and disagreement. Adopting such values corresponds with optimal progression and social development, which ultimately results in manufacturing of civil society.
Some time ago, the Arab Network for NGOs was launched, chaired by Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The network is a unique, pioneering work.
With globalization, civil society has gained international, wide-ranging dimensions, leading to the emergence of key roles in effective institutions, and significant effects on global civic organizations. This has led civil society to play humanitarian roles across countries and continents, making significant achievements, thereby earning both deep respect and envy due to their weight from governmental and quasi-governmental organisations.
The changes that took place during the past 10 years in the structure of Qatari civil society were swift with a far-reaching impact, starting from the imposition of laws that cripple and restrict the establishment of associations, such as Law No. (12) of 2004 on associations and private institutions. Through the amendment of the Act a few days ago, the amount of capital required for the establishment of associations and private institutions was increased to a minimum of 10 million riyals, as well as the dissolution of the body responsible for planning, developing , and activating the role of civil society institutions, transferring its responsibilities to a mere department, rather than transforming it into a comprehensive, independent sector, otherwise known in today’s world as the Third Sector.
