Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have stressed the need for citizens to know what is and isn’t acceptable when it comes to giving donations during Ramadan as they get ready for the holy month. During this time, Muslims focus on several things, including fasting, prayers, and kindness.
The federal legislation on fundraising is one factor to think about; its goal is to make sure that donations go to people who actually need them. It is mandatory for citizens to use approved charity organizations as conduits for their gifts under this law. Donations may be more reliably put to good use with this safeguard in place.
The Ministry of Community Development has clarified certain guidelines regarding fundraising. While the law allows individuals to support family members and friends in need, there are limits to these contributions. Donations should not surpass the level of charitable work undertaken by licensed organizations. Residents are also encouraged to extend help to the needy within their communities.
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During Ramadan, it is acceptable to distribute iftar meals at mosques and localities. Nevertheless, restaurants are bound by rules regarding the distribution of their meals. Restaurants can take food contributions to cook, but they can’t hand them out on their own. Rather, they need to work with nonprofits to make sure everything is distributed correctly.
Furthermore, individuals are cautioned against participating in unlicensed or unreliable donation campaigns on social media platforms. Collecting funds from relatives and friends to deliver to charitable organizations, whether domestically or internationally, is also discouraged. Additionally, engaging in financial speculation or distributing revenues to members and employees of licensed entities is prohibited.
The law outlines various avenues through which donations can be made, including clothes and money to licensed charitable organizations, as well as depositing donations in designated boxes available in public places. Cash, in-kind, and digital donations can also be facilitated through authorized channels such as funds, SMS, exhibitions, auctions, and charity events.
To ensure compliance and address any potential violations, individuals can report suspected infractions to the ministry’s call center. Penalties for flouting the law range from fines of Dh200,000 to Dh500,000 and/or imprisonment, underscoring the seriousness with which donation regulations are enforced during Ramadan.
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