LONDON — The financial magazine Nuqudy highlighted the importance of philanthropy in the acts of the most influential Arab businessmen, through publishing a list of the few Arab philanthropists that have selflessly given the most, relative to their net worth.

Nuqudy focused on the role of the Anglo Arab Organization, founded by British Iraqi billionaire philanthropist Nadhmi Auchi as one of the few charitable foundations established by a billionaire not to carry the founder’s name.

According to the Magazine which singled out Auchi as one of its distinguished favorites, the man has been promoting better understanding and peaceful integration of Anglo and Arab cultures.

Auchi with former US President Bill Clinton and VP Al Gore

He has engaged in diverse philanthropic giving aimed at promoting peace, understanding and health. His gifts include a scholarship program at the American University in Cairo, the Hammersmith Hospital Dialysis Unit, and the Cancer Research Unit of the Kingston Hospital in London.

Nuqudy revealed the portrait of a discrete man who has suffered great loss, including the death of his brother at the hands of Saddam Hussein, and yet who has not lost hope.

His interfaith work has beenL recognized by Pope Benedict XVI —with the award of the “Holy Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” medal, the highest award for non-clergy in recognition of distinguished service.

His gives a higher-than-average percentage of his total net worth, and this year the Anglo Arab Organization received the Asian Voice Public and Political Life award for special contributions in 2012.

Due to the volume of negatively biased and patently false press coverage about him, Nuqudy called his office to ask him why he did not promote his positive activities. He replied, “The purpose of charity is to help those in need and to make the world a better place, not to promote myself. I have lawyers to deal with the false journalism and do not use charity as a shield.” 

 —Mideast Online