The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan ………………… 58 3 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ………………………… 86 4 Palestine: West Bank and Gaza Strip ………………………………………
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From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements……………………………………… 5 Introduction: Arab Philanthropy in Transition……………………... 9 1 Arab Republic of Egypt ………………………………… 34 2 The Hashemite kingdom of Jordan ………………… 58 3 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ………………………… 86 4 Palestine: West Bank and Gaza Strip ……………………………………….. 112 5 The Republic of Lebanon ……………………………… 144 6 The State of Kuwait …………………………………….. 165 7 The State of Qatar ……………………………………… 186 8 The United Arab Emirates…………………………….. 206 Conclusion and Recommendations ………………… 230 APPENDICES ………………………………………………. 241 P. 5 From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy Acknowledgements On behalf of the research team at the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at the American University in Cairo (AUC), we wish to recognize the efforts of all those who have contributed to the report from its conceptualization through to data collection, analysis and production. Authors of From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy included the following researchers who devoted their time and outstanding talents to contribute country chapters: Mona Atia (Egypt), Mahi Khallaf (Qatar and Kuwait), Hadeel Qazzaz (Palestine), Fadi Sharaiha (Lebanon), in addition to the center's staff researchers Karim Shalaby (Saudi Arabia), Dina Sherif (Jordan, UAE and Conclusion) and Barbara Ibrahim (Introduction and Conclusion). Valerie Kirk, AUC graduate student and research assistant, conducted background research and writing for the country chapters. Overall intellectual and practical coordination of the study team was in the able hands of Dina Sherif. Profiles of the researchers are included in the appendices of the report. The center would like to thank the following individuals whose contributions to the report have been invaluable: Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah for giving generously of her time to provide insight on the study and the state of philanthropy in Jordan. HM's support of the work of the Gerhart Center is a great honor. We would also like to acknowledge Ms. Maysa Jalbout and Ms. Sam Mort from HM Queen Rania’s office for their kind support of the research carried out in Jordan. Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein for generously granting us time and for sharing her enlightened views on philanthropy. We would also like to acknowledge Ms. Jumana Abu-Hannoud, Chief of Staff of HRH Princess Haya’s Office, for her kind support of the Gerhart Center and of the research carried out in Jordan. P. 6 From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Missned of Qatar for her leadership of philanthropy in her country, for having a regional vision of social transformation and believing in the work of the Gerhart Center. Barry Gaberman, former senior vice president, Ford Foundation, Visiting Distinguished Professor at AUC for offering his broad expertise to help develop the research methodology of this study. In United Arab Emirates: Thanks to Dr. Yasar Jarrar, executive dean, Dubai School of Government, for reviewing the chapters on Jordan and UAE and for opening important doors for the UAE field work; to Samar Abdulhadi of Young Arab Leaders for facilitating research in the UAE; to Caroline Faraj, editor and chief, CNN Arabic, for facilitating research in the UAE and in Jordan. In Jordan: Thanks to Fadi Sharaiha for facilitating research in Jordan and conducting field work in Lebanon under difficult circumstances; to Dr. Atallah Kuttab, Director General, Welfare Association, for collegial advise and friendship; special thanks to Fadi Ghandour, CEO, ARAMEX for insights that facilitated research in Jordan and for his continued support and confidence in our work. In Lebanon: Thanks to Dania Refai, program manager, UN Habitat, for reviewing the chapter on Lebanon and facilitating field research in Lebanon; Sallama Namani, program manager of the Makhzoumi Foundation for facilitating research in Lebanon and to May El Makhzoumi for her constant support. In Egypt: Thanks to Dr. Mahmoud Fathalla, Professor, Assiut University, for wise guidance; Moataz al Alfi for encouragement and belief in the power of giving; Ehaab Abdou, chairperson, Nahdet El Mahrousa, for careful reading of the Egypt chapter; Marwa Daly, executive, Waqfayat Al-Maadi, for sharing her knowledge of Egyptian philanthropy; and to Mohamed Nabil Hayek for assistance throughout the research process; and to many others too numerous to name here. P. 7 From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy In Kuwait: Thanks to the following for insights and facilitation of the research: HE Dr. Hassan el Ebraheem, Chair, Kuwait Society for Childhood; Dr. Mohamed al Rumaihi, Professor of Sociology, Kuwait University; Dr. Rola Dashti, President, Kuwait Economic Society; Ms. Farahnaz Rezaei of F&N Consultancy In Palestine: Thanks to Nora Lester Murad for insights and review of the Palestine chapter; to Amal Ghadban, Mohammad Masrouji and Iyad Masrougi for the valuable information provided during the research; to Sufian Mushashaa for insightful comments about philanthropy not only in Palestine but also in the Arab region; and special thanks to the field researchers in Gaza, Haneen Samak and Azza Saadallah In Saudi Arabia: Warm appreciation to Prince Bandar bin AbdAllah bin Abdulrahman for facilitating many aspects of the research effort in KSA; Mohamed Salahuddin Aldundarawy, journalist and publisher for his guidance and offering valuable material; Malik Dahlan, Esq. for insights on legal and CSO environments; Turki bin Khaled Al Sudairy, chairman, Human Rights Commission for useful contacts; The Help Center staff, children and board for information and inspiration; Khaled Ahmed Nahas, executive manager, National Society for Human Rights and Matoug Al-shereef, Journalist, Okaz Organization for Press and Publication, for helpful information and moral support We are all indebted to Tagreid Hassabo, Communications and Outreach Manager at the Gerhart Center for her tireless work over many weeks to bring this report into one coherent document. This report would also never have been possible without the professional and meticulous editing of Hanifa Sadek. Thanks also to Amira Nour, Nora Al Tahawy, and Fauzia Dawood of the Gerhart Center staff for their dedication and hard work to bring the report to fruition. Last but not least, a group of special individuals have provided moral and material support to the early stages of the Gerhart Center’s work. We are grateful to AUC President David Arnold for believing in the idea of the center long before it existed. Tim (Earl) Sullivan, Provost, American University in Cairo, has offered unfailing support and P. 8 From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy constructive criticism – you will be missed. Emma Playfair, regional representative for MENA, Ford Foundation, has for a number of years been laying the groundwork to build a strong Arab philanthropy sector. For their generosity in sharing information, the center is indebted to all the philanthropists, executives of foundations, CSO activists and business leaders who took time from their busy schedules to provide us with information upon which the report is based. We are particularly grateful to those who were willing to share their pioneering vision of an Arab philanthropy that is geared toward sustainable social change; we thank them for moving the field forward. For reference, a listing of all profiled philanthropic organizations is included in the appendices of the report. Research, drafting, and production of this first-ever study of Arab philanthropy was made possible by a grant from Boeing International Corporation in Dubai, UAE. We applaud their interest and investment in Arab philanthropy and their commitment to social responsibility. The center would like to give special thanks to Anna Roosevelt, Vice President for Global Citizenship, Amb. John B. Craig, Vice President, Boeing International (Middle East Region) and Ms. Aisha Al-Kharusi, Deputy Director of Strategic Analysis, Boeing International (Middle East Region). We hope that this mapping study will stimulate others to invest in developing resources and documentation for the sector. In coming months, the Gerhart Center is committed to continue publishing updates and analysis, and we welcome ideas that will improve our work. This is an exciting time to be part of the renaissance of Arab philanthropy, and we all feel grateful for the opportunity to make a contribution to that effort. Dr. Barbara Ibrahim, Director John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement The American University in Cairo January, 2008 P. 9 From Charity to Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy Introduction: Arab Philanthropy in Transition By Dr. Barbara Ibrahim Overview The Arab region is currently generating unprecedented wealth and creating new generations of wealthy citizens. For the second time in half a century, rapid economic expansion is underway, fueled in part by high oil prices and growth in related sectors. National economies today, however, are more diverse than in the first oil boom of the 1970s. Petroleum and gas exporting countries of the Gulf now have policies in place to capture resource wealth for sounder long-term growth. Sophisticated Arab companies have become globally competitive, including in non-extractive sectors such as telecommunications, construction, and transportation. Meanwhile, international investors are showing increased interest in other emerging capital