Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi

 

It was a great loss for the field of humanitarian work when the renowned Kuwaiti Islamic preacher Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sumait, died, aged 66, on Aug.15 after a prolonged illness. Al-Sumait was a role model for all humanitarian workers and philanthropists around the world. He was widely known for his extensive philanthropic work in several African countries benefiting millions of people in several ways.



Born and raised in a well-known family in Kuwait, Al-Sumait was a qualified doctor who specialized in internal diseases and gastroenterology before becoming involved in charity work. After receiving his primary education in Kuwait, he moved to Iraq and graduated from the University of Baghdad with a BS in medicine and surgery, and then traveled overseas for higher studies.



After returning to Kuwait, he started his practice in a major hospital and became well known for his special care for patients. He used to visit patients in the hospital even after his duty time was over and began to inquire about the condition of patients and about the financial position and social status of their families. He also inquired about the care and services rendered to them by the nursing staff and was keen to address any shortcomings or negligence in this regard. He did this in a friendly and cordial way.



Al-Sumait became engaged in humanitarian and philanthropic work during his school days. As a secondary school student in Kuwait, he witnessed a scene outside his school that sparked his interest in helping the less fortunate, and that changed his life forever. He observed poor workers waiting for transportation to their work places standing in the scorching sun on a daily basis. He and some classmates decided to save their pocket money in order to purchase a small car, and from that day onwards, he drove these workers for free. This was the beginning of his dedicated work for the poor and the underprivileged which was done with the sole desire of winning the pleasure of God.



Al-Sumait moved to the African continent when he was entrusted by a rich Kuwaiti woman to construct a mosque in Malawi where most mosques were thatched buildings. He saw people in that impoverished country living in squalid and destitute conditions.



Al-Sumait also realized the significance of turning the world's attention to the continent where a large number of people were living in abject poverty and ignorance and were suffering from various diseases. He did not turn to rich people to ask for their donations in order to carry out charity work because he knew that most of them do not offer donations unless they receive material and moral benefits. Al-Sumait instead relied on common people who came forward with donations as they knew about his true intentions as a preacher and because of their trust in him as an honest man who was transparent in financial matters.



Al-Sumait started his charity work in Malawi and this later was expanded to around 40 African countries. He founded the Africa Muslim Agency that was later renamed the Direct Aid society.



Al-Sumait provided treatment for patients, food for those who were hungry, and clothes for those who did not have them, irrespective of whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims. Unlike Christian missionaries, who most often extended assistance with the direct or indirect condition of embracing Christianity, he helped everyone who needed assistance without asking about the person's religion or race. As a very simple and humble man, Al-Sumait was keen to deliver assistance to those who deserved it without any showing off or publicity.



He extended support for setting up small development projects that enabled the poor to make ends meet. These projects included fish farms or small commercial outlets and tailor shops. He also helped the poor to dig wells.

This enabled a large number of people who were until then recipients of Zakat to become those who give Zakat. The exemplary example of Al-Sumait attracted millions of people who came in battalions to the fold of Islam, thanks to his commendable efforts.



Al-Sumait abandoned all the luxuries of life and moved to Africa not to live in five star hotels or luxurious villas but to live with the poor and the underprivileged in their huts and small houses. His wife joined him in  humanitarian work and the propagation of Islam. Al-Sumait moved from place to place across Africa and played an active role in establishing a number of charity societies and organizations.



Apart from heading the Direct Aid society, he served as founding member of several other charity and humanitarian organizations, such as the Malawi Muslims Committee, and Kuwait-based bodies, such as the Kuwaiti Relief Committee, International Islamic Charity Authority, International Islamic Council for Call and Relief, and Charity Rescue Society. He also worked as a member of the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society, and editor-in-chief of Al-Kauthar magazine. He served as a member of a number of other charity societies in Africa.



Direct Aid, the largest charity society in Africa, was instrumental in establishing a large number of schools and universities where hundreds of thousands of students study, in addition to orphanages, shelters for the elderly and the poor, and hospitals.



Al-Sumait always avoided media publicity and lived a life away from the limelight. He used to say: “I don’t want any reward or gratitude from anyone except Almighty Allah. I always ask for a reward and forgiveness from Allah in the life after death.” The very name of Al-Sumait symbolizes charity work in Africa. He won the praise and affection of the people in Africa and that was awarded several medals and prizes, the most important of which was the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam. He donated the prize money amounting to SR750,000 for charity work in Africa. May Allah forgive this great philanthropist and accommodate him in His Paradise.

— Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi is a former Saudi diplomat who specializes in Southeast Asian affairs. He can be reached at algham@hotmail.com