Friday March 29th, 2024
Download SceneNow app
Copied

Sawiris Tweets Some More About Buying Island for Refugees

After last week's tweet by the billionaire announcing that he wanted to buy an island for refugees, it seems he's not backing down as he tweeted today asking the public for help in creating #AylanIsland.

Staff Writer

Naguib Sawiris is extremely rich, and apparently compassionate, as the billionaire tweet went viral last week announcing he wanted to purchase an island to shelter refugees. Taking it a step further, Sawiris tweeted today to propose naming the island Aylan, and provided contact information for anyone interested in contributing to the humanitarian project.

For years the issue of refugees taking often fatal journeys in search of safety have dominated global media. By now everyone should know there is a serious humanitarian crisis, but no one seems to be doing anything about. Hoping or at least talking about tackling the problem head on is the 608th richest man in the world, Naguib Sawiris, who tweeted that he wanted to purchase an island off the coast of Italy or Greece to act as a safe refuge for those fleeing their war torn homes, even if it is only temporary until resolutions are reached. The tweet went viral, many applauding his call; however its feasibility and Sawiris commitment wasn’t exactly clear in his first tweet.

Reaffirming his commitment, Sawiris took television to clarify that he’s serious about the offer, and followed it up with tweet on Monday calling for help and proposing a name for the proposed island:


Sawiris proposes the name Aylan for the island, in memory of a 3-year-old Syrian boy, Aylan Kurdi, who tragically drowned last week off the coast of Turkey as his family attempted to flee to Europe. Knowing that he may not be able to do this on his own, he asked those interested in volunteering or sending contributions to email proposals@otmt.com.

One would expect that a call to save refugees would be organised by an international governing body, but alas the UN ineffectiveness to do anything is once again abundantly clear. So it seems someone is stepping up and proposing solutions, as refugees desperately need an answer to their plight, and not more stories about it.