Let me attempt to explain. In order to deliver help to poor Africans, it is necesaary to establish an entity, a mechanism, an instituion under our control. In Islam, everything is centered around the Masjid. The Masjid is a Community Center in which all of the things you have mentioned occurs. This is why Islam is different from most other religions: it guides us in every aspect of daily life and long term planning. Eventaully, the oil-rich Arabs of the Gulf will be able to satisfy their Islamic duties by investing money in Projects such as this one. This money will be totally under African control. I know it is hard for non-believers and dis-believers to visualize this. But, the rich pays the poor in Islam. Every Muslim is obligated to give a minimum percdentage of his goods and money ton widows and orphans and poor people. This is why in the poorest Muslim countries in the world, we do not see women and children begging and sleeping on the streets as is seem in every American town and city. And, there is no welfare system other than the Masjid.

I have been working for several months now to establish projects by which non-Muslims may get involved in the Economic Development of Africa (African Finance Facilitation Project, FUDAA | Google Groups and Black Star Management and Development Company, FUDAA | Google Groups) It is very sad to note that few have answered the call. A person could help in the Black Star Project by simply investing $5-10 per month. Or alternatively, one could simply help to facilitate the delivery of micro-loans to African Communities under the Finance Facilitation Project. Or, perhaps a person could help to establish some other project that adresses the problems. But, it is absolutely unacceptable to attack the initiatives of others or to ignore perfectly good and sound projects while doing nothing worthwhile yourself, except shoot off hot air.

Get real! Project Benin is owned and controlled by Africans with the help of our Asians friends and allies who are Muslims. At worse, this will help better relations between the Asians and Africans. The unique thing about this project is that we control it. There are several others that are controlled by Europeans and Asians. But, this one is about Africans helping Africans. You show your slave mentality by not ever compalining about a project controlled by whites. But, as soon as an African develops a project that you cannot possibly sabotage because it is centered around Islam, all you can do is cast asperions and complain. Your compalints speak volumes.