JEDDAH: A digital library of charitable works in the Islamic World was launched here Sunday on the sideline of the Second Social Development Forum. The Knowledge Library will provide a source of information about charitable efforts in Muslim countries and Islamic communities worldwide. “It is the first digital library in the world that opens the path to know the cultural, social and historical dimensions of the social tender in the Islamic World through using the digital tools and social media,” said Shereen Tarabulsi, general manger of the project. The information covers the period from 1900 until the present and considers the cultural, social and political factors that affect the Islamic social works around the world, Tarabulsi added. The effort is part of a collaboration program between John Gerhart Center for Social Research and the Center of Excellence for Middle Eastern and Arab Culture, both of which are based at the American University in Cairo. Other activities on the second day of the event, held at the Jeddah Hilton, included the Prince Majed Bin Abdul Aziz Social Society and Research Center of Columbia University in Middle East announcing an agreement with Dar Al-Hekma College to provide training for those who want to work in the non-profit field. “The Prince Majed Social Society is working hard to activate the role of private sector in terms of social responsibility through creating development programs to supply the needs of society,” said Suhair Quraishi, Dean of Dar Al-Hekma. Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeah, Minster of Health, emphasized the link between the sustainable development projects and national project for complete medical care. In his speech, he focused on the sustainable partnership of humanity and the importance of its planning. He pointed out that the five new medical cities in the Kingdom are considered strong points helping to activate social development through medical care. Amr Dabbagh, Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, said during the first session that his organization will activate its role in social and economic development and launch the Responsible Competitiveness Index to boost competition between public and private sectors. The program will evaluate the role of companies to increase social competitiveness among employees, said Dabbagh, whose speech also addressed SAGIA efforts to activate local social responsibility for foreign investors. He added that the program aims to encourage companies to consider social and environmental issues as they make business decisions.
