Press Release
23 March 2008
UK urges greater Muslim support to help tackle Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs)
 UK Minister for International Development, Shahid Malik, today addressed the
inaugural
 World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists (WCMP), where he urged the
Islamic world to unite in the fight to eradicate global poverty. He said this
fight was central to being a Muslim and that in partnership they could achieve
much more than as individuals.
In 2000, the UN announced eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that it
wanted countries around the world to meet by 2015. While some progress has been
made, the international community is off track and will fail to meet the targets
set.
The MDGs include halving global poverty, getting all the world’s children
into school, reducing infant and maternal mortality, and providing clean water
and sanitation.
Shahid Malik said:
“We live in a world today where all too often Muslims are depicted in a
negative light, usually due to extremism. Here today, we see the philanthropic
side, which is the true face of Islam.
“I commend the WCMP for bringing together influential Muslims, who when
combined can be immensely powerful and hugely important in the effort to
eradicate global poverty.
“This year – the year of the “bottom billion” – I urge Muslim organisations
and individuals around the world to join the UK Government’s
Call to Action. It
is only through a truly collaborative and committed effort by business, faith
groups, governments and philanthropists, that the MDGs will be delivered.”
Earlier, Mr Malik met with Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,
where he congratulated Turkey for recognising Kosovo’s independence and asked
for other nations, including Muslim countries, to do likewise.
Notes to Editors
- In June 2007, Shahid Malik became the first British Muslim to be made a
Minister in any British Government. He is at the forefront of encouraging
Muslims to integrate into British society and to go beyond simply condemning
extremism.
- Around the world, 25 countries with sizeable Muslim communities receive
more than £1.5 billion of DFID assistance. 15 such countries received more than
£50 million each in 2005/06. Find out what the UK is doing to help the poor
in predominantly Muslim countries, as well as other nations.
- More information on the MDGs
- WCMP
is a global initiative that puts strong emphasis on benevolence that is deeply
rooted in the Muslim faith and heritage. The first annual conference will give
Muslim philanthropists the opportunity to share ideas and cultivate
collaborations which will eventually lead to improving the livelihood of the
world’s underprivileged.
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