4.2.1.3 Provision of religious, educational, health and welfare facilities

Seemingly, most if not all Muslim countries are characterized by ruinous socio-economic conditions in which most people live. In Islamic Watch, blame is apportioned to rapid urbanisation and lack of concern by authorities in some of these countries (Islamic Watch 1993:1; Fisher 2002:251). These, coupled with the absence of civil society to engage with authorities, create conditions in which Islamic fundamentalism thrives. Groups such as Muslim Brotherhood, existing in different Muslim countries (Flood 2003, para.14) utilise funds from Saudi Arabia to “offer education, jobs, and health care” (Flood 2003, para.13; Latif s.a, para.6; Ter Haar & Busuttil 2003:9). The poor seeing and receiving this help are said to consider Islamic fundamentalism to be championing their cause (Islamic Watch 1993:2). Educational facilities are being used to promote fundamentalist understanding of Islamic life (Islamic Watch 1992:1). Religious facilities serve as energising centres for fundamentalist action towards establishment of Islamic statehood. The result is widespread popularity of Islamic fundamentalism such that it is able to make demands on governments which normally get acceded to as a way of appeasement (Islamic Watch 1993:1).