KUWAIT CITY, 15 October 2004 — As in other Gulf Arab states, charitable donations in Kuwait rise sharply during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts today. But the Kuwaiti government has moved to make sure funds do not fall into the hands of “suspicious elements”, an official said here yesterday, in a clear reference to militant organizations.
Under strict rules to be enforced by dozens of government inspectors in coming weeks, religious donations can no longer be made in cash or in kind and must be made through banks.
“Forget cash or any form of material donations. A donation made during the holy month, or at any other time, must be made through bank transfers,” said Nasser Al-Ammar, head of the Charity Societies Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Charity organizations and their branches must now have official authorization in order to be able to receive funds. “We have authorized the five main charity organizations and their 124 branches to collect donations. (But) this must be done through officially-stamped coupons authorizing deductions from the donors’ bank accounts,” Ammar said. It is estimated that tens of millions of dollars are raised during Ramadan in this state. “Our aim is not to stop charity, but to regulate it and stop funds from falling into the hands of suspicious elements,” Ammar said.
Under the regulations, fund-raising is not allowed in mosques, except in the last 10 days of Ramadan. Donations can be received by a limited number of specially authorized booths, he said. The emirate’s central bank was assigned the task of approving and monitoring all monies transferred overseas by Islamic charities, in the hope of knowing the funds’ final destination.
