Comments on: Moslem countries are doing best at reducing hunger – why? What would a 'Mecca Consensus' on human development look like?

By: Nurvitria

Nurvitria — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:03:50 +0000

Interesting findings…
For me, it seems that Islamic cross-subsidizing schemes in Moslem countries such as the obligatory zakat, as well as voluntary infaq and shadaqah for the poors, also contributes to the poverty reduction initiatives–however this I don’t know if there’s already any study that look through it.

But then again, it depends on who’s on power and the dynamics of civil society in mobilizing the scheme. Cheers,

By: Jon Parsons

Jon Parsons — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 12:39:02 +0000

Maybe there is some behind the scenes tactic going on to keep poverty in Christian countries as, according to the Bible, the poor are blessed?

By: Ikram

Ikram — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:28:26 +0000

Its a good news that poverty concentrated regions are performing despite the lasting repercussions of instability in the region resulted by imposed war on Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and world sanctions on Iran and North Korea. However, endowment of natural resources especially oil and industrialization in few countries are the key factors towards development than religious considerations.

Duncan: Thanks Ikram, but if that were true, how come oil-rich economies in other regions (Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria) have failed to progress?

By: Don Stoll

Don Stoll — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:49:54 +0000

The data from these recent studies don’t necessarily discredit instrumentalist arguments about the importance of gender rights if other powerful factors are at play. Your reply to Ines mentions the possibility that autocracy helps during the early stages of economic growth, but what about absence of war? Can one say that peace—despite some obvious glaring exceptions!—has generally characterized Islamic countries in recent years? And how do the autocratic yet war-torn exceptions fare in the studies?

By: Ines

Ines — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:54:12 +0000

Hi,
this is interesting, and I am sure that access to health and education in the countries listed in the graph (whether they have a majority Muslim population or not)does play a role in reducing hunger. What strikes me, however, is that when we check against the Global Gender Gap Report 2010, of the 9 ‘good performers': 5 are ranked below 100th place, 2 below 90th and the other two below 50th place. Is this a methodological quirk or something more serious?

Duncan: not a quirk at all, but quite an important challenge to us, I think – unless I’m missing something, this disparity looks like it undermines the more instrumentalist arguments that gender rights lead directly to improvements in health and education outcomes. Reminds me a bit of the old ‘Asian values’ discussion that said autocracy was necessary in the early stages for income growth.

By: Jonathan Glennie

Jonathan Glennie — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:33:00 +0000

Fascinating and surprising!

By: Ansumana Dambelleh

Ansumana Dambelleh — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:29:16 +0000

The Gambia is a majority-Muslim country as well, but it falls on the losing side of the table. I guess something has to be said specific geographic conditions and national leadership. The Gambia is also caught between English and Arabic language education paths and as a result neither achieves great results. I would like to see that data for the last few years in isolation though as much has been done recently to promote reforestation and “back to the land” campaigns.