Destination KSA - Your Guide to Saudi

Destination KSA - Your Guide to Saudi
Online Magazine

The Kingdom of Humanity: Saudi Arabia Gives Back

By Destination

Share

facebook linkedin telegram whatsapp

By Johara Al Mogbel There tends to be a repetitive monologue in the press when it talks about our country abroad. As a general rule of thumb, Saudi Arabia is either depicted as an evil money hungry oppressor, or an overbearing money hungry ignorant oil barony. Sometimes, if the media needs a scapegoat, we’re depicted […]"

The Kingdom of Humanity: Saudi Arabia Gives Back

By Johara Al Mogbel

There tends to be a repetitive monologue in the press when it talks about our country abroad. As a general rule of thumb, Saudi Arabia is either depicted as an evil money hungry oppressor, or an overbearing money hungry ignorant oil barony. Sometimes, if the media needs a scapegoat, we’re depicted as both just for fun.

The truly dejecting aspect of the entire issue isn’t the stereotype we’ve endured for years now. The award for that goes to the fact that Saudis themselves, after reading countless accounts derogating them and their homeland brought about by political and cultural differences with western countries, have begun to believe what’s being said about them.
School aid distribution to Pakistan.
School aid distribution to Pakistan.
Iftar packages distribution.
Iftar packages distribution.

 

Add the inherent Islamic practice of not touting the charity you give -which the government follows to an extent- to the lovely mix and you end up with the Kingdom’s most well hidden secret: the extent of its giving.
From governmental sectors to private citizens, the generosity that Arabs are historically known for is embedded deep in the culture, regardless of individual inclinations. From helping conjoined twins to sending supplies to disaster-stricken areas, there isn’t a limit on what’s being given; there aren’t any talks of loans to be paid back.

Saudi Arabia basically gives out like a benevolent grandfather with his offspring, or a post-ghosts Scrooge. We accessed the foreign aid list that started in March 2014, thinking we’d add it to this article, and it was long enough that we abandoned any thought of doing that.

Iraqi girl sits next to her family food ration.
Iraqi girl sits next to her family food ration.
Syrian refugee aid food baskets.
Syrian refugee aid food baskets.
The government is also a big advocate of social responsibility in the country, and has made it an important priority to enforce and encourage a sense of goodwill in corporations and the private sector.

Education is largely encouraged. There’s an open exchange and scholarship program that allows Muslim students from abroad to study Islamic Studies in most of the state colleges, as well as a special allowance for Syrian refugees to be accepted in any public educational institute that was decreed two years ago.

The King Abdullah’s Relief Campaign for Pakistani People distributed thousands of school bags among children studying with Read Foundation.

This uncovered side to the Kingdom shows through the willingness to help other nations in need, without prerequisites or much fanfare. It also displays what it means to have a constitution steeped in Islam, the belief that you must give, and that when you give your right hand should not know what your left hand has given.

Fact: Saudi Arabia has one of the largest humanitarian budgets in the world.

For example:

Chin up, Saudis! There’s so much more to our country than meets the eye. You just have to know where to look.


Share

facebook linkedin telegram whatsapp

Keep Exploring

Saudi Arabia Secures Hosting the 2026 FEI World Championships in Al Ula

By Mohammed AlMahdaly

Ring of Fire: Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk in a Historic Showdown

By Haneen.Sh

Explore Culture At Al-Suwaidi Park

By Haneen.Sh

Epicon: NEOM Unveils its Luxurious Coastal Destination

By Haneen.Sh

Experience Enchantment at Disney: The Castle, Riyadh Season 2023

By Haneen.Sh

Get Ready: Tickets for Saudi Games 2023 Available Now

By Haneen.Sh

Discover ROKA Riyadh’s New Family-Friendly Brunch Experience

By Haneen.Sh

All You Need To Know About Riyadh Season’s Wonder Garden

By Haneen.Sh

Riyadh Zoo 2023 is Back For its Second Edition

By Haneen.Sh

BLVD Forest: an Interactive Setting to Delve into Natural Wonders and Encounter Rare Wildlife

By Mohammed AlMahdaly

Invisibilia Experience: Contemplative Spaces and Interactive Challenges in Boulevard City

By Mohammed AlMahdaly

Luxury Retreat at Rosewood Jeddah

By Haneen.Sh

Discover Rituals Cosmetics’ Holiday Gift Guide

By Haneen.Sh

Misk Art Week 2023 Showcases Talent and Creativity

By Haneen.Sh

Assila: Where Luxury Meets Culture and ‘Drunch’ Delights

By Haneen.Sh

Ganache: A Family Experience Beyond Desserts

By S. Inas Inayath