Society in need for women's voluntary, charitable efforts - Al-Maatouq

KUWAIT, Nov 30 (KUNA) -- The society is in dire need for women's voluntary and charitable efforts, particularly amid the wars and disasters that have afflicted the Muslim states, Chairman of the Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO), Amiri Diwan Advisor, Abdullah Al-Maatouq, said on Sunday.
The statement was made in a press conference organized by the IICO on arrangements for the world conference on the "Role of Women in Charitable Work" to be held here on December 15-17 under auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Al-Maatouq, also UN Secretary-General's Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs, noted that women are regarded as "idol capacity" due to social and cultural background that has nothing to do with real Islam.
He urged abolishing the obstacles that do not allow activating women's role in charitable activities.
The Amiri Diwan Advisor noted that since the first days of Islam, women have been sharing men the responsibility of building the society, and have never been absent from the scene.
He underscored the role of women in voluntary and charitable work, calling for giving them the opportunity to fulfil it. He referred to nine female cadres form around the Muslim world in the IICO General Assembly, offering them the chance to run for the Organization's membership.
This is unprecedented in a world Islamic Organization, he stressed.
Meanwhile, the UN envoy said that he had discussed with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdulatif Al-Zayani the need for a legislation to provide protection charitable workers.
The chief aim of the "Role of Women in Charitable Work" initiative taken by the IICO is to highlight the real and aspiring role of Muslim women in building the societies, as well as substantiation from the religion to this, Advisor to the IICO Chairman and member of the General Assembly Shatha Mishri.
Mishri, head of the conference preparatory committee, added that participants will focus on the obstacles, social or religious, impeding women's voluntary andcharitable efforts. (end) hmd.gk.msa