Forbes Middle East supports charitable work and reveals the The Top Transparent Charities in the Arab world

Forbes Middle East revealed “The Top Transparent Charities in the Arab world” during a Suhoor it has hosted in Meydan Hotel in Dubai. Several heads of charities and charity representatives attended the event, as well as senior executives and CEOs and a gathering of media representatives looking to support the charity sector that enjoys a pure transparency.

The ranking included only 54 charities that exposed its financial statements out of 337 charities. The ranking was prepared according to these financial statement s and included charities working in the fields of fighting hunger and poverty, addressing health issues and aiding victims from natural and unnatural disasters. The charities are non-profitable and approved by ministries of social affairs in each Arab country, to ensure the safety and legalities of the charity’s transactions and their compliance with the laws of their countries.

The survey covered 18 Arab countries, 9 countries of which were present in the list (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Tunisia and Palestine). On the other hand, 5 countries were absent from the list (Egypt, Qatar, Morocco, Algeria and Sudan) because the ministries refused to provide us with a list of charities that we used as a base for our research. 4 countries were excluded (Libya, Syria, Yemen and Iraq) due to the troubled political and security situations in those countries, which made the communication process with the ministries difficult.

In her opening speech during the ceremony, Khuloud Al Omian, Editor-in-chief of Forbes Middle East, welcomed the attendees and showed appreciation for their support for charitable work. With regards to “The Top Transparent Charities in the Arab world” ranking, she noted, “The ranking was calculated according to the total income of the charity and the total spending on charitable services that comes from the total income during 2010.”

Al Omian added, “54 charities that allowed us to expose their financial statements for the last 3 years, and did not take their time in sending their annual report, as if they were prepared for any inquiry. The cooperation shown by charities when exposing its financial statements and other necessary information, this does not leave any room for doubt about its impact on people’s lives, and in working with complete transparency. “

Al Omian explained, “Some licensed charities that have refused to provide us with their financial information have not only failed to enter the ranking, but they have also put themselves in a suspicious circle that has surrounded several charities in the Arab countries because of lack of clarity of the charity’s goals and sometimes as a result of the interference of politics with its activities and finances, as well as suspicions to money laundry, and funding of terrorism.”

The Emirati charities achieved the highest ranks, such as “Dar Al Ber” which came 1st place, “Beit Al Khair” that came 2nd. The “Jordanian relief organization” achieved 3rd place and the “South Lebanese society for the Blind” came 4th place. From Kuwait, “Sheikh Abdullah Al Nouri” charity came 5th. The Saudi Arabian charities also achieved a high rank such as “Down Syndrome charitable association”, “Heart friend charitable society”, “Charitable health society for patients care” and “Zahra breast cancer association”.

And during the ceremony which was held in cooperation with Meydan hotel, the charities were honored and handed certificates to their representatives as appreciation for their dedication and their faith to the importance of charity work.

Mr. Abdin Nasralla, Vice President Meydan Hotels, said:" The entire team at The Meydan Hotel is extremely pleased to have partnered with Forbes Middle East for their Suhour get together recognizing charitable work in the region.  It was a very pleasant gathering of distinguished guests and charity organizations.  At Meydan we believe and strongly feel about giving back. Timed with Ramadan, this was indeed a very special event.”