Awqaf allowing collection of donations in mosques
Teams formed to check violations
KUWAIT CITY, March 23, (KUNA): The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs announced on Wednesday, that it is permitted to collect donations in mosques throughout the blessed month of Ramadan, according to conditions and controls in agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Community Development.
The Director of the Media Department at the Ministry, Dr. Ahmad Al-Otaibi, said in a press statement that the Awqaf issued a circular to the directors of mosque departments in the governorates, which includes allowing the collection of donations through bank deductions and Knet devices only, in addition to notifying the imam of the mosque to visit the representative of the charitable association and the fundraiser authorized by the beneficiary.
Al-Otaibi added that representatives of charitable societies and entities authorized to collect donations are not allowed to speak inside mosques to deliver an introductory speech about the association or the projects it undertakes in order not to disturb the worshippers.
He stressed the need for each association to place portable, independent advertisements licensed by the Ministry of Social Affairs at the entrance to the mosque along the back wall so as not to distract worshipers from submissiveness according to the fatwa of the Fatwa Committee Awqaf, provided that the association that owns the advertisement removes the advertisements at the end of the period allotted to them.
He clarified that it is not allowed to place advertisements calling for collecting donations on the walls of mosques from outside or inside, except for those authorized by the Ministry of Affairs and according to the license granted by the Ministry in this regard.
He pointed out that it is strictly forbidden to place piggy banks and money incubators in mosques, stressing the necessity of suspending the unified identity of the association’s delegate and the collector of donations granted to him by Ministry of Affairs during his stay in the mosque.
He stated that the imam of the mosque does not have the right to prevent authorized associations and bodies from carrying out their work in collecting donations in the mosque, unless they violate the announced schedule and the instructions issued.
In this regard, he pointed out that imams of mosques are not entitled to collect donations for any charitable project or authorize the establishment of charitable projects for the benefit of any party.
He stated that in the event of any violations of the aforementioned applicable rules and regulations, one can send a message WhatsApp or call the hotline 66027725.
Meanwhile , the Ministry of Social Affairs announced the formation of field inspection teams from various government agencies to monitor and remove money collection and donations violations throughout the month of Ramadan, based on the program for monitoring violations prepared by the Department of Charitable Societies and Charities, reports Al-Jarida daily.
The ministry stated that this comes as a continuation of its efforts to monitor fundraising activities during the holy month, in order to develop charitable work, pointing out that it has granted approvals for charitable societies to collect in mosques in coordination with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
However, cash collection is forbidden and also in-kind donations in all their forms, and committing to using KNET devices and bank deductions approved by the Ministry only.