The international community should stand together and face the growing challenges including the financial crisis, fighting religious extremism or the recent outbreak of swine flu pandemic that the world has been confronting today, said Dr. Saleh S. Al-Wohaibi, Secretary General of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY). Dr. Wohaibi was speaking at WAMY's 7th annual Iftar party here, Tuesday. A large number of ambassadors, diplomats and donors of WAMY, which has its operation in various international countries, were present. Arutro Trejo, Mexican Ambassador and Dr. Tawfeeq Abd Aziz Al-Swaillem, a Saudi businessman and Lya Tidjani, Cameroon ambassador were the guest speakers on the occasion. Quoting from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Wohaiby said: “We are all like one human body and if the people in one country are effected, that will have effect on other people living inother parts of the world.” He said the current international financial crisis has an impact on the charity work not in the Gulf region but across the world. The financial crisis led in the drop of contributions which effected the charity work irrespective of who run the charity organizations – Islamic or others, he said. He said generally-speaking the Saudi economy has little impact of the international financial crisis, “but nevertheless certain businesses were affected, as has been indicated by the drop in contributions to WAMY this year.” The number of donors at WAMY's offices during this Ramadan declined compared with last year, he said without giving figures. Despite the drop in contributions, Wohaibi said WAMY is planning to open new offices in France, Turkey and Lebanon. WAMY would manage its resources and would continue to operate internationally, he said. “There is a growing need for charity work in these countries, particularly in education sector,” he said. Wohaiby described the assassination attempt on Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs, as act of aggression on the entire country. He urged the extremist elements to follow the right Islamic tenets and listen to the leaders and Ulema.
