well my question is really the topic why is Niger starving?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, the main problem is that the land itself is poor. This means that it doesn't produce crops and so on easily. The land is mostly desert. Before colonialization whenever there was any kind of famine the people, who were nomadic, would simply move on. Often they would move to Nigeria. There was no borders at that time. An important point is that many of the people in NIger belong to the Hausa tribe and this tribe also exists in Nigeria and so the people of these tribes helped each other in the past.
Now, the borders are there and the nature of the people has changed. Nigeria, since colonization has become something of an English (cultural) country whereas Niger has taken on something of the culture of France. So they are somehow distanced from each other. The normal people from Nigeria and Niger will still help if they can but the governments are somewhat distanced from each other and preoccupied with their problems.
Name
Khalid
- United States
Profession
Question
I know it happens in Niger, but there are alot of poor countries in Africa starving. Most of the rich wealthy nations always give less aid and food that support a nation. Even though they recieve aid and food, it only effect small portion of people. While the wealthy nation wasting billions for no use, poor nation suffer, and the world ignores there help. Why wouldn't be wealthy muslim nations helping countries like Niger? I mean orginizations sometimes do not effect all poverty populations on one nation. Government money from wealthy nation is good portion of benefit for poor nation. Do you agree?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, Some Arab countries do help in Africa, but the problem is that this help doesn't always go to the people who need it. Often the money will end up in the hands of the government who are unfortunately quite often corrupt. It's much better to help through non-governmental organizations like Islamic Relief, World Assembly of Muslim Youth, and the Red Crescent. These organizations often work with Christian organzations and by pooling resources they are able to help many more needy people.
I think it is unfair to say the world ignores poverty because there are many organizations and volunteers working extremely hard throughout all these areas. That is evidence enough. When people see the heart breaking pictures of starvation they feel they want to help but perhaps they're not sure how. I suggest they contact the non-governmental organizations like I mentioned before because they are doing something positive.
Also I don't think it's fair to blame the African countries if they don't help each other as they should because each of them is preoccupied with a multitude of problems. On the ground, the people help each other and even if there is some friction between various tribes from time to time, in times of crisis you will see the people helping each other.
Name
Salim
- Egypt
Profession
Question
I read that this famine is happening in many countries, such as Mali, and Mauritania not only Niger. Why do you stress on famine in Niger only?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, these other countries may be affected by the famine but certainly not to the same extent of Niger. We aren't ignoring their plight but because the famine is seated mainly in Niger we refer to the famine as centrally affecting Niger, before those other countries.
Thanks for your question.
Name
Nano
- Belgium
Profession
Question
Are there any Arab or Muslim organizations that help Niger to overcome this famine?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, sure there are many. Often we hear people comments that only the western countries give aid but that's not true. But the giving done by Muslim organizations is under a different system or mechanism.
Some volunteer agencies are present in the country all the time so they are aware that a problem will happen in the near future like what was reported last year about a famine in 2005. The volunteers could foretell the possible extent of the coming crisis because they are there all year round.
At the same time, I must say that the Muslim organizations need to become more close to the people, have a permanent bases in the countries they are serving and get to know the people and their needs more. They give money and they are there in times of crisis but to improve, they need to be there all year round.
Name
Alaa
- Bahrain
Profession
Question
Asslamu Alaikom wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakatu. I want to ask you how can we help people in Niger?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, Right now the best and easiest way to help the people in Niger is to donate through non-governmental organizations that I mentioned before. If you are a professional person you can volunteer and go there yourself and work under the auspices of one of these creditable organizations. There is a need for medical staff, translators, and specialists in agriculture. Until now, the agriculture is based on rainfall and the country needs irrigation and different farming methods to avert the problems of drought.
As a long term solution there needs to be mechanisms to help the country sustain itself agriculturally. Mainly they grow onions for export, and the people don't benefit from this. They need to change what they grow and start producing more corn and other crops that don't require so much water. At the moment, all these things are designed to benefit the government but not the people.
It is also helpful to make an awareness campaign in your own area. Perhaps through school projects, or community activities you could spread correct information about what's happening in Niger and what people can do to help.
Name
Anthony
- Australia
Profession
Question
Asslamu Alaiykum, Do you think that Niger is starving because of lack of resources, or because of government corruption?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, I think it is a combination of both. Niger lacks suffcient water supply and this affects its agricultural output.
There is also a strategic problem that the government has to solve in terms of what kinds of crops the country produces and trying to let the country be self-sufficient. A lot of aid sent to Niger is in the form of food stuff and money. Because Niger owes a lot of money to the IMF this money is put back into paying back the debt so the people don't actually benefit from the 'aid'.
The Niger river has the potential to serve most of the country's water needs but its potential has not been thoroughly explored.
Another factor that shouldn't be overlooked is that many of the people in Niger are nomads and they don't like the idea of staying in one place permanently and farming. That's why closing the border to Nigeria affected them so much because in times of crisis, like now, they would simply move on into Nigeria until the crisis past. Now they are stuck there and this is their way of life and it is difficult for them to change.
So the problem lies in a combination of factors: lack of water, the nomadic culture of many of the population, and lack of strategy from the government to overcome these challenges.
Name
rasha
-
Profession
Question
I don't like to speak about the causes of this crisis, I want to know the effect of what we can call "the spiritual starving?", I mean the feeling of being alone, starving, in need to the helping hand, which in many times is not found. Till when Muslism strive? when will we be true brothers to each other and join hands to help our brothers in islam without external support? I think that is the question
Answer
Assalam alaikum, it is true that the Muslims need to help each other. But we have to say that Muslims are giving and helping. These days it is often difficult for Islamic organizations to acutually send large amounts of money to other countries because of international fears of terrorist activities. However, despite that, Islamic organizations are still working and trying to find ways to get food, aid, money and so on to the places that need it.
The people of Niger are peace loving people, who generally help each other. Much of their culture is based on islamic principles. They don't have this need of brotherhood as we might expect but what they need is food and infrastructure. I want to repeat that specialists can travel there and help set up organizations and institutions to teach people farming methods and various skills to enhance their lives.
I agree with you that there is some form of spiritual starvation among the Muslims internationally. Unfortunately there is still racism and prejudiced and selected sympathy and such things do not belong to Islam. What we have to do is follow the example of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and help anyone in need - regardless of race, color or religion. That's our job! to be a mercy to mankind. If Allah chooses to send His help through us, we should feel honored.
Name
Sara
-
Profession
Question
Don't organizations like the World Bank, IMF, the FAO, in addition to other UN bodies help Niger and other countries that have famines?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, Allah knows the intention of all people and yes, we have to say that help does come through such organizations. However, the story doesn't stop there.
It turns into a kind of catch 22 situation where the poor country receives 'aid' and then has to pay it back with interest and so finds itself in debt to these organizations and is not free to produce the crops that would be good for their country because they have to follow the orders of these organizations until the debt is fully paid. So for example a country may be required to grow cotton but the people there need to grow food. But the cotton is produced, the people don't benefit from it and the ground is often destroyed. And all this happens in the name of helping and giving aid.
Often this aid benefits the governments much more than the people.
Name
me:)
-
Profession
Question
I read that beneath the land of Niger there is a lot of oil, gold, and other precious minerals....whos does that belong to? and why can't they use it?!?!
Answer
Assalam alaikum, whatever exists in Niger does not necessarily belong to the people of Niger. For example, the uranium belongs to a French company and so the wealth from it goes outside the country. This problem can be traced back to the days of colonization and the effects are still being felt.
Such companies like the one mentioned above, will give some services to the people (from Niger) who work for them. But it is still cheap labor for them and many times the miners suffer from lack of safety in the work place.
Name
Adam
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Are the non-Islamic organizations use their aids as a way to push Muslim people in Niger to be Christians?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, it is to be expected that any organization will talk about their religion - not with an intention to harm but because they believe they represent the truth and so they try to spread their message. It is up to the people themselves whether or not they accept that message.
If a Muslim or anyone else goes to a Christian organization they will receive help. The people there may give out booklets and so on about Christianity but they will not force you to change your religion.
The Muslims also help anyone who comes for help and we too, try to spread Islam through kindness and good example. In the end, people decide for themselves which path they will choose.
Name
Hammam
-
Profession
Question
How did this famine happe and how to help? I understand that the media in general has to foccus on this subject, but how can I as an ordinary man urge the media to its right role?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, the media plays a very important role in shaping people's thinking. In such cases like famines and so on, they must seek to mobilize volunteers and work as facilitators to help. They shouldn't throw blame on any one party but give the context of the situation so people can make up their own minds.
I feel that in the case of the Niger famine the focus of the media has been to say that the famine was caused by the locusts. While that may be true to some extent, they failed to discuss the historical, social, and political elements of the situation. Because of this, people are satisfied to just send money and buy food to feed the hungry people now without thinking about long term solutions and infrastructure.
Name
Mahmoud
- Qatar
Profession
Question
Is Niger a rich or poor country?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, It might be safer to say that Niger is a poor country because it is known internationally as the second poorest country in the world. At the same time, we have to say that it has potential to be self sufficient and to grow economically. But in order to do this, it would need integration with neighboring countries, good strategies from its governments, release from its international debt, assistance from specialists to develop the skills and resources of the people.
Name
D.Y
-
Profession
Question
Do you think that the structural corruption in Africa is taking place for domestic or international reasons? Are there any tactics to face it?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, the corruption in Africa (or anywhere else) comes from individuals who are trying to get what they want in any way or means. The problem is when the people don't have the mechanism to check them and stop them. In Niger and other poor countries the people are too busy trying to survive day to day to organize the reformation of their government.
People must work for the long term view of educating women and the youth, inspiring them and giving them opportunities to be active in society.
This education cannot be expected to come from the government. It must come from the people themselves and organizations that work on the ground. It is automatic that when the people become educated, pious, and active that social change will occur. and the governments know that.
Name
marwa
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
I'd like to ask about the role of colonization in the present problem. I know that France and Britain colonized many countries in Africa but I think they also give a lot back to them. Is it right to blame everything onto the colonizers?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, before the colonization Niger was a part of an empire that extended from today's Niger to Nigeria, to Camaroon, and part of Burkina Faso. The colonists put borders according to their divide and rule policy and this isolated the people from each other and their colective strength. After that it was easy for the colonizers to control and use them as they pleased. The colonizers wanted their resources which were oil, gold, minerals, and cheap labor. They educated certain people to be their representatives when they were not present and so their presence was felt until now.
If the colonizers give back some token help to their former colonies - SO THEY SHOULD! They have a moral obligation to assist the people they previously used so badly.
At the same time, we can't say that all the problems in Niger are because of the colonization. The blame for poverty falls on government corruption, the nomadic culture of the people, the poor quality of the land, and the impact of international debt.
Name
Michael
- Canada
Profession
Question
Peace be upon you,
Sure it's not fair to blame wealthy Muslim nations or Africa itself for its poverty. However...if the excuse is that a government may be corrupt and thus the poor are not getting their rights than it is we, as Muslims, who must stop this as fellow brothers and sisters are starving. We compare ourselves to Jews and Christians almost as an excuse to say "they do it too"...but we are the model for society. It is we who must take the strongest approach against poverty and on a separate issue like terrorism. We are not to point blame but to put ourselves in hardship to help Muslims and non-Muslims when possible. So, are Muslims failing today with Niger?
Answer
Assalam alaikum, i agree with you! Self criticism is essential if we are to develop ourselves. Many people call themselves Muslims but they don't really follow the teachings of the Quran of the message of the Prophet (peace be upon him). We should constantly reflect and put ourselves in line with the teachings of Islam which have nothing to do with terrorism, economic strangle holds, or oppression of any kind. Indeed, it's our job to help the poor wherever they are and whoever they are.
About the question you posed about whether or not Muslims are failing today with Niger.... we must each ask ourselves and be honest with the answer. Allah will provide the help with or without our support. If we don't help, He will send His help through others and in the end we will all be judged for what we did or didn't do. Every heart is sufficient to judge itself.
