Charity Starts At Home Siti Kasim Cites Quran To Convince Muslims Who Die Die Want To Send Money To Gaza

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THOSE seem to be the overriding sentiment among many Malaysians over Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim having pledged another RM100 mil in aid to war-torn Palestine.
That is to go with an earlier pledge of a similar sum, bringing the total to a humongous RM200 mil.
One of the most vocal critics of the move has been social activist Siti Kasim who had poured scorn on the use of public funds for the benefit of a state thousands of miles away.

The human rights activist and lawyer reiterated her stance in a Facebook post highlighting the obligation of a Muslim when helping others. Quoting the holy Quran, she proclaimed:
An Islamic verse and several hadith underscore the obligation to prioritise family and neighbours when giving and doing good deeds. This emphasis is based on the principle that the closest relationships hold the greatest rights and deserve the most care.
The most comprehensive verse regarding the order of priority for doing good is Surah An-Nisa (4:36) which links the rights of relatives and neighbours directly with the command to worship God alone:
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the neighbour farther away, the companion at your side, the traveller and those whom your right hands possess.
“Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful”.
Underscoring her message that ‘charity begins at home’, she counselled: “This verse highlights the importance of showing kindness and support – starting with parents and extending to relatives, neighbours and the wider community”.

The post references similar sentiments by TV celebrity Daphne Iking who also pointed to the mad scramble among Malaysians to grab their RM100 allocation of groceries, underscoring that needy citizens at home require a helping hand, too.
The aboriginal rights advocate’s post has generated 1.8K likes, 454 comments and 234 shares at time of writing, underlining that many Malaysians are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis.
Many netizens voiced their disapproval, highlighting that taxpayers’ monies would be better served helping Malaysians first.
Some specifically brought up the plight of the Borneo states which they claim are in dire need of aid.

One commenter highlighted the Malaysian Indian community that is constantly marginalised. Why so much focus on an overseas population some 7,570km away (approximate distance)?

Below are few more enlightening views penned by commenters:

The Quranic verse cited by Siti Kasim certainly makes it clear that immediate family and those closest to home should receive help and support first (although her detractors countered that all Muslims are brethren to each other).
Religious verse aside, one cannot help to think that PMX and the Madani administration is somewhat tone deaf to the rakyat’s struggles. Their primary responsibility is to take care of matters at home before being responsible members of the international community.
To get it backwards reflects poorly on the government of the day. –  Focus Malaysia

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