Affairs Ministry cracks down on 30 kiosks violating Ramadan collection rules

• It’s a threat to charitable work, allowing opportunists to collect in-kind and cash donations illegally, outside the ministry’s oversight.

• All unlicensed “piggy banks” in cooperative societies and commercial stores must be removed, and in-kind donations should be restricted to main headquarters and branches of societies.

• Field inspection teams identified several advertisements from commercial companies and restaurants soliciting donations for organizing Iftar banquets for fasting individuals, without prior approval from the Ministry.

Al-Jarida has learned from reliable sources within the Ministry of Social Affairs that field inspection teams from the Charitable Societies and Endowments Department, tasked with monitoring and addressing violations in donation collections during the 22nd Ramadan project, carried out 118 inspection tours over the past two days.

These teams visited mosques and the headquarters of charitable organizations participating in the initiative to ensure compliance with donation collection regulations. As a result of these efforts, around 30 kiosks involved in illegal in-kind collection were seized, and worn-out, non-compliant clothes were collected from various areas across the country.

The sources further explained that efforts are underway to coordinate with the municipality to remove these kiosks, particularly those of unknown origin, which pose a threat to charitable work and create opportunities for opportunists to collect in-kind and cash donations illegally, away from the ministry’s oversight.

Furthermore, the sources added that illegal in-kind collection kiosks have become a growing issue, especially during the holy month and the launch of the annual donations project. To address this, the ministry is working to establish a legal framework that tackles this problem comprehensively.

The sources emphasized the importance of enforcing Cabinet Resolution No. 914 of 2001, which mandates that charitable organizations remove all unlicensed donation collection units, including kiosks, in every area.

This includes banning donation collections through tables in mosques, cooperative societies, or commercial markets.

The resolution also calls for the removal of clothing collection kiosks, limiting them to the main headquarters and branches of the societies.

Additionally, all unlicensed “piggy banks” in cooperative societies and commercial stores must be removed, and the collection of in-kind donations, in all forms, should be restricted to the main headquarters and branches of the societies.

Iftar Ads

The sources also revealed that the field inspection teams identified several advertisements from commercial companies and restaurants soliciting donations to organize Iftar banquets for fasting individuals, without prior approval from the Ministry.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been notified to take appropriate action in response.

Additionally, there is a growing initiative within the Ministry to enhance local charitable projects, directing donations toward domestic needs alongside the numerous international charitable initiatives carried out by charitable organizations abroad.

Importantly, under the direct instructions of the Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, the Ministry has launched several internal charitable projects aimed at ensuring a portion of the donation funds directly benefit those in need within the country.

The sources noted that Cabinet Resolution No. 867 of 2001 emphasizes the importance of encouraging the localization of charitable work revenues and directing them to Kuwait.

This includes supporting committees that adopt service projects such as building places of worship, schools, hospitals, and social care homes, along with providing social services and other charitable initiatives.

Additionally, the resolution advocates for the development of media programs to educate donors and charitable individuals about the significance of supporting domestic charitable projects.

The Ministry emphasized that there will be zero tolerance for any violations of the regulations during Ramadan and that appropriate legal measures will be taken.

Furthermore, the Ministry urged donors, both citizens and residents, to be cautious when donating money, stressing the importance of verifying the identities of collectors and avoiding being misled by false appeals.

The Ministry also encouraged donors to direct their contributions to recognized and reputable organizations within the country.