DAKAHLIA, Egypt: The Doctors Syndicate in Egypt's Nile Delta governorate of Dakahlia has organized a relief campaign for the Somali people through the syndicate's humanitarian relief committee. The campaign was launched by Farid al-Masry Mosque. Dakahlia's governor said he will support the campaign with 20,000 EGP (U.S. $3,400) from the governorate's finances and 500 EGP (U.S. $85) from his personal funds. Many citizens in the governorate have participated in the campaign. One village managed to raise 30,000 EGP (U.S. $5,000). It is worth adding that Islam requires the faithful to contribute certain amounts of money for charity and other means of supporting the poor. Some Muslims take this requirement particularly seriously during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The day fast is supposed to remind Muslims of all background what it feels like to be hungry. Yesterday, Egypt announced a fatwa, a religious proclamation, calling for the traditional charity contributions to go to famine-ravaged Somalia.
