Osama bin Laden urges Muslims to tackle famine and food problems

A message purportedly from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is urging Muslims to tackle famine, flood relief, and clean water -- stark problems plaguing parts of the Islamic world.

The message, which appeared on jihadist forums Friday, strongly urged Muslims to help Muslims by investing in infrastructure projects and developing awareness programs, such as how to deal with issues like water pollution, CNN says.

The authenticity of the tape could not be immediately verified.

A copy of the message was provided by the US-based SITE Intelligence Group.

"What governments spend on relief work is secondary to what they spend on armies," bin Laden said on the 11-minute tape called Reflections on the Method of Relief Work, The Press Association informs.