Why Imam Ali?
Imam Ali is chosen as the starting point to address the means to combat poverty because: He is the most knowledgeable in the divine teachings. The prophet Muhammad used to say, “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate, whoever wishes to access the city should do so through its gate” [30] , He was the real embodiment of the divine teachings in fighting poverty before taking the office of government, and after ruling a country that encompassed some fifty of today’s countries, He left behind the greatest heritage and legacy, wisdom, and theoretical and practical solutions to address the grave problem of poverty, In his speeches and teachings and especially in his mandate to Malik al-Ashtar – whom he appointed as the governor of Egypt – there are general guidelines depicting a clearly defined strategy for the fighting of poverty throughout time. He was distinguished by an exceptional perseverance and awesome will to fight poverty. When he was effectively restricted and denied from a
