Several Arab newspapers have criticized Arab governments for being stingy in support of the tsunami victims.
In Lebanon, The Daily Star was strong in its condemnation:
"Caricatures of white-robed sheiks sailing their luxury yachts on seas of oil and using $100 bills to light their Havana cigars will only be reinforced in the face of collective miserliness in this hour of human need. Especially if the petroleum-rich Gulf states do not dig a bit deeper into pockets that have become quite deep indeed over the last few years of high oil prices."
When Kuwait offered $2 million, Al Qabas, a leading newspaper, blasted the govenment for its stinginess. Kuwait increased its contribution to $10 million.
Saudi Arabia initially offered $10 million. Professor Fahad Kheraiji, of King Saud University, didn't like this:
"I think the money is not enough. Saudi Arabia has a responsibility as a Muslim country and as the largest oil-producing country."
Saudi columnist Jamal Khashokji, writing in Kuwait's Al-Watan, chimed in:
"This tragedy is an opportunity to revitalize the real Islamic aid work ... and to present the true face of the peace-loving, humanitarian kingdom, which is open to the whole world."
After the criticism, Saudi Arabia upped its contribution from $10 million to $30 million. Also, United Arab Emirates upped its contribution from $2 million to $20 million.
The violent tsunami catastrophe has triggered a small change in view of Muslims. They are beginning to realize that they can't take out their resentments with suicide bombers. The result of encouraging martyrdom among their youth is that the youth are disappearing. In the long run, they cannot win any kind of life because martyrdom glorifies death.
Better to exercise altruism by giving to those in need, and it's obvious that the need is great in Southeast Asia. By being altruistic, Arab Muslims signify that they prefer life over death. After affirming life, they are ready to develop the necessary ambition to live life well. Soon they will be eager for life like the rest of us.
But it is up to them. They have to fight the battle. I am glad that at least some Arab Muslims now realize that altruism is preferable to martyrdom.
