Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Saudi Arabian NGOs in Somalia: ‘Wahabi’ Da’wah or Humanitarian Aid?

  • Chapter
Development, Civil Society and Faith-Based Organizations

Part of the book series: International Political Economy Series ((IPES))

Abstract

In the Western world, both the Geneva Conventions and the Red Cross-sponsored ‘Code of Conduct for NGOs in Disaster Relief’ are seen to provide the mandate and operational framework for humanitarian action. However, a renewed linking of aid and broader political goals, common during the Cold War, can now be observed. Even before the war on terror, questions as to the usefulness of a separation of aid from politics were being raised (cf. Duffield 2001). The distinguished journalist David Rieff in, A Bed for the Night: the Crisis of Humanitarianism (2002) went further, pronouncing the death of pure humanitarianism, viewing it cynically as an extension of the foreign policy of Western governments. The picture today remains mixed and the NGO community continues to be the main vehicle for humanitarian aid, calling into question how ‘non-governmental’ many NGOs can actually be. As Joanna Macrae (2002: 53) puts it, ‘[it] is not whether humanitarian aid is political, but how.’

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Bibliography

  • Ahmad, K. (1978), Economic Development in an Islamic Framework, Leicester: The Islamic Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Algar, H. (2002), Wahhabism: A Critical Essay, New York: Islamic Publications International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali, T. (2003), The Clash of Fundamentalisms: Crusades, Jihads and Modernity, London: Verso.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mundhiri, Z. A. A. (trans.) (1998), Summarized Sahih Muslim, Riyadh: Dar-us-Salam Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Rasheed, M. (2002), A History of Saudi Arabia, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Qardawi, Y. (1999), Fiqh az-Zakat: A Comparative Study, London: Dar Al Taqwa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barasi, L. (2005), ‘Saudi Arabia’s Humanitarian Aid: a Political Takeover?’ ODI Humanitarian Practice Network, Humanitarian Exchange, No 29, London, pp. 41–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • BBC News Online (2003), ‘War on Terror Hits Somali Orphans’, 20 May 2003, available online http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3044485.stm [accessed 10/06/06].

  • Bellion-Jourdan, J. (2000), ‘Islamic Relief Organizations: Between ‘Islamism’ and ‘Humanitarianism’, ISIM Newsletter, No. 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benthall, J. (1998), The Qur’an’s Call to Alms: Zakat, the Muslim Tradition of Alms-Giving, ISIM Newsletter, No. 1, p. 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benthall, J. (2003a), ‘Humanitarianism, Islam and 11 September’, ODI HGP Briefing, No 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benthall, J. (2003b), ‘Raising the Red Crescent’, New Humanist, 1 November, Vol. 118, Issue 4 (November/December) http://newhumanist.org.UK/660 [accessed 28/08/07].

  • Benthall, J. (2003c), ‘Humanitarianism and Islam after 11 September’, In Joanna Macrae and Adele Harmer (eds), Humanitarian Action and the ‘Global War on Terror’: A Review of Trends and Issues, HPG Report 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benthall, J and Bellion-Jourdan, J. (2003), The Charitable Crescent: Politics of Aid in the Muslim World, London/New York: Tauris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryden, M. (2003), ‘No Quick Fixes: Coming to Terms with Terrorism, Islam, and Statelessness in Somalia’, Journal of Conflict Studies, Vol. XXII, No. 2, pp. 24–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byman, D, Lesser, I. O., Pirnie, B., Benard, C. and Waxman, M. (2000), Strengthening the Partnership: Improving Military Coordination with Relief Agencies and Allies in Humanitarian Operations, Santa Monica, CA: RAND Co-operation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choueiri, Y. (1997), Islamic Fundamentalism London/Washington: Pinter, revised edition.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cragg, K. (1986), The Call of the Minaret, London: Collins, 2nd ed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delong-Bas, N. J. (2004), Wahhabi Islam: From Revival and Reform to Global Jihad, London/New York: Tauris.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Waal, A. (1997), Famine Crimes: Politics in the Disaster Relief Industry in Africa, London: James Curry Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Waal, A. (ed.) (2004), Islamism and Its Enemies in the Horn of Africa, London: Hurst.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donini, A. (2004), Western Agencies don’t have a Humanitarian Monopoly, Humanitarian Affairs Review, October, available online http://www.human-rights.unisi.it/h2006/allegati/universality.pdf [accessed 28/08/07].

  • Duffield, M. (2001), Global Governance and the New Wars: The Merging of Development and Security, London and New York: Zed Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Economist (2000), ‘Sins of the Secular Missionaries’, Jan 27th 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, M. and Hulme, D. (1996), Beyond the Magic Bullet: NGO Performance and Accountability in the Post-Cold War World, West Harford: Kumarian Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esposito, J. (1997), Political Islam: Revolution, Radicalism, or Reform? Boulder, Colo./London: Lynne Rienner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geertz, C. (2003), ‘Which Way to Mecca? Part II’, New York Review of Books, Vol. 50, No. 11, available online http://www.nybooks.com/articles/16419 [accessed 28/08/07].

  • Ghandour, A-R (2003), ‘Humanitarianism, Islam and the West: Contest or Co-operation’, ODI Humanitarian Practice Network, Humanitarian Exchange Magazine, No 25, pp. 14–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, S. (2003), Institutionalised Islam: Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Policies and the Threat They Pose, Testimony given to the US Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Terrorism, London 10th September 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschkind, C. (1997), What is Political Islam?, The Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP) Middle East Report 205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschkind, C. (2004), ‘Civic Virtue and Religious Reason: An Islamic Counter-Public’ In Drobnick, J. (ed.) Aural Cultures, Toronto: YYZ Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holden, D. and Johns, R (1982), The House of Saud, London: Pan Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huntington, S. P. (1996), The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, London: Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibn Abd al Wahab, M. (1996), Kitab at-Tawhid, Riyadh: Dar-us-Salam Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Crisis Group (2002), Somalia: Countering Terrorism in a Failed State, Africa Report No. 45.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Crisis Group (2005), Somalia’s Islamists, Africa Report No. 100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M. M. (trans.) (1997), Sahih Bukhari, Riyadh: Dar-us-Salam Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Sage, A. (with Menkhaus, K.) (2004), The Rise of Islamic Charities in Somalia: An Assessment of Impact and Agendas, Paper presented at 45th Annual International Studies Association Convention, Montreal, 17–20 March 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, B. (2003), The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror, London: Phoenix.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, I. M. (1998), Saints and Somalis: Popular Islam in a Clan-based Society, Lawrenceville, N. J.: Red Sea Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macrae, J. (2002), ‘The Political Dimension’, ICRC Forum, available online http://www.icrc.org/Web/ara/siteara0.nsf/htmlall/5LWFE4/SFILE/Political_dimension.pdf [accessed 20/05/2006].

  • Manji, F. and O’Coill, C., (2002), ‘The Missionary Position: NGOs and Development in Africa’, International Affairs, Vol. 78, No 3, pp. 567–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metcalf, B. D. (2004), Islamic Contestations: Essays on Muslims in India and Pakistan, New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moeller, B. (2006), Religion and Conflict in Africa: with a Special Focus on East Africa, Danish Institute for International Studies, DIIS Report No. 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Millard Burr, J. and Robert O. Collins (2006), Alms for Jihad: Charity and Terrorism in the Islamic World, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Novib and WAMY (2004), Arab Donor Policies and Practices on Education in Somalia/land.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, H.J. (2004), The ‘Wahhabi’ Myth, Toronto: T.R.O.I.D. Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ottaway, D. B. (2004), ‘US Eyes Money Trails of Saudi-Backed Charities’, Washington Post, Thursday August 19 2004, available online http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13266-2004Aug18.html [accessed 05/05/06].

  • Philby H. St. J. (1928), Arabia of the Wahhabis, London: Constable Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Philips, B. (1996), The Evolution of Fiqh: Islamic Law and the Madhabs, Riyadh: International Islamic Publishing House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickthall, M. M. (1996), The Meaning of the Glorious Qur’an, Beltsville, MD: Amana Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pipes, D. (2002), In the Path of God: Islam and Political Power, Somerset, NJ: Transaction Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollack, J. (2002), ‘Saudi Arabia and the United States 1931–2002’, Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 6, No. 3, http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/2002/issue3/jv6n3a7.html [accessed 28/08/07].

  • Rahman, F. (1987), ‘Islam: An Overview’, In Eliade, M. and Adams, C. J. (eds) Encyclopaedia of Religion, London: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rentz, G. S. (2005), Birth of the Islamic Reform Movement in Saudi Arabia: Muhammad B. ‘Abd Al-Wahhab (1703/4-1792) and the Beginnings of Unitarian Empire in Arabia, London: Arabian Publishing Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuters (2006), ‘Saudi Charity Spending Down 40 pct on “Terror” Fear’, available online www.alertnet.org/printable.htm?URL=/thenews/newsdesk/L29179051.htm [accessed 12/11/06].

  • Rieff, D. (2002), A Bed for the Night: Humanitarianism in Crisis, New York and London: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (2004), Initiatives and Actions Taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Combat Terrorism, Information Office briefing, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (2006), Initiatives and Actions Taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Combat Terrorism, Information Office briefing, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Said, E.W. (1991), Orientalism: Western Conceptions of the Orient, London: Penguin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salih, M. A. M. (2002), ‘Islamic NGOs in Africa: The Promise and Peril of Islamic Voluntarism’, Occasional Paper, Centre of African Studies University of Copenhagen, March 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. (2004), The Two Faces of Islam: Saudi Fundamentalism and Its Role in Terrorism, London: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slim H. (2004), How We Look: Hostile Perceptions of Humanitarian Actions, Presentation at the Conference on Humanitarian Co-ordination, Geneva, 21st April 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN-IRIN (2003), ‘Somalia: Orphans Facing Street Life After Saudi NGO Pulls Out’ Nairobi, 21 May 2003, available online http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=34225&SelectRegion=Horn_of_Africa&SelectCountry=SOMALIA [accessed 10/06/06].

  • US Treasury (2002), Fact Sheet: Designations of Somalia and Bosnia-Herzegovina Branches of Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation, http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/po1086.htm [accessed 25/01/07].

  • Yamani, M (2001), The Saudi Time Bomb, Interview with Frontline, 5th November 2001, available online http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/Saudi/interviews/yamani.html [accessed 10/05/2006].

  • Yergin, D. (1991), The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power?, New York and London: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zarabozo, J (2003), The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, Riyadh: Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Dawah and Guidance, KSA.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Mohammed R. Kroessin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Abdulfatah S. Mohamed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of the Environment and the Society, Swansea University, UK

    Gerard Clarke

  2. School of Oriental and African Studies, London, UK

    Michael Jennings

Copyright information

© 2008 Mohammed R. Kroessin and Abdulfatah S. Mohamed

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kroessin, M.R., Mohamed, A.S. (2008). Saudi Arabian NGOs in Somalia: ‘Wahabi’ Da’wah or Humanitarian Aid?. In: Clarke, G., Jennings, M. (eds) Development, Civil Society and Faith-Based Organizations. International Political Economy Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230371262_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation