One of the major objectives of WAMY is to engage in interaction with other cultures in order to promote international understanding and give a true picture of Islam. Such a measure has become necessary in view of the smear campaign against Islam and charitable organisations working for this cause, especially in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.

Consequently, WAMY introduced its ‘Annual Iftar Party’ to which ambassadors, businessmen, volunteers, representatives of the media and other guests are invited. The idea behind this event is to reach out to the diplomatic community and encourage them to participate in this dialogue. Several diplomats from various countries have attended this annual get-together and shared their thoughts with the audience. From their speeches, it has become clear that they are beginning to appreciate the role of WAMY as a responsible charitable organisation sincerely dedicated to the cause for which it stands.

Another offshoot of this dialogue was a decision to introduce Arabic language courses. WAMY realised that one of the concerns of these diplomats was to stay in touch with not just with the government, but also with the Saudi society. Through WAMY, they are able to acquaint themselves with the feelings of the Saudi society, its traditions and ambitions.

Within the framework of its objectives, WAMY is also sending across its message via media to counter hostile campaign against Islam. For example, WAMY sent press releases against the anti-Islamic campaign by the Danish media targeting Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). More recently, it also challenged the statement of Pope Benedict XVI by casting aspersion on the Prophet (PBUH). Through such press releases, WAMY has sought to expose the motive behind such campaigns and to project Islam in its true perspective.

One of the oft-repeated charges against charitable organisations is that they have become a channel for funding terrorism. The fact that WAMY has nothing to do with such activities is clear from its membership with Friends of Charities Association (FOCA), a lobbying group in Washington. This association is doing a great job on our behalf by trying to reach out to government officials, congress and media representatives in the US to explain our activities and eliminate misconceptions.

WAMY has been a partner of the United Nations activities, beginning with the International Youth Year (1985) and renewed with its adoption by the General Assembly in 1995, of The World Program of Action for Youth to the Year 2000, and the subsequent preparations for and convening of the World Youth Forum of the UN System.

WAMY participated in the annual International Aid & Trade Exhibition and Conference held under the aegis of the United Nations, which provides the umbrella for international agencies to gather and discuss ways to enhance their roles in the changing global scenario.

Specifically, Aid and Trade 2001 included a special conference on Public Procurement Reform. The conference examined and discussed how governments could strategically use procurement programs to achieve environmental goals, enhance efficiency and transparency by taking advantage of e-commerce, respond more quickly and effectively to crises, promote the growth of local supplier communities through capacity building and financial help.

WAMY attended the conference on relief aid with the focus on the ‘Evolving Role of Global Aid in the 21st Century’ and the context of that aid, from the economic, political and social points-of-view. Its emphasis was on relief and socio-economic progress in developing countries. WAMY highlighted its activities relating to relief and rehabilitation, social welfare, health services, sustainable development, well-drilling, and distribution of free meals among the needy.

It also participated in the UN World Conference on Women (August 31– September 8, 1995, Beijing China); World Youth Forum of the UN System (November 25-29, 1996, Vienna International Center, Austria); the 16^th Conference on the International Federation of NGOs for the Prevention of Drugs and Substance Abuse (December 2-6, 1996, Jakarta); UN Conference in Sanjose/Costa Rica (March 16-18, 1998, in Kuwait), and several other events.

WAMY has also played a key role in the Montreux Initiative that was put forward by the Swiss and British governments and is expected to include other European countries. WAMY is also a member of the “Humanitarian Forum” that encompasses a score of NGOs from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa. It is also an integral part of Geneva-based International Bureau for Humanitarian Organization that has entered its sixth year and has played a major role in defending charities.

Through these various initiatives, WAMY seeks to promote a dialogue of civilisations at various levels as in promoting religious harmony by fostering respect for different faiths. In this process, it aims to remove misgivings created through anti-Islamic literature and interactions with misguided followers of Islam.