Illegal fundraising during Ramadan is punishable by a fine of Dh500,000 in the United Arab Emirates

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The regulations are governed by Federal Law No. 3 of 2021. The law aims to maintain and protect donor funds from exploitation and ensure that they reach the appropriate beneficiaries.

Mohammed Naqi, director of the Department of Non-profit Public Associations, said: “The Ministry has approved thirty-four entities, including charities and government institutions, to receive and collect donations during the month of Ramadan.

Naqi added: “A fine of not more than Dh200,000 and not less than Dh500,000, or imprisonment, will be imposed on anyone who collects or receives donations from outside the UAE in violation of the applicable rules and procedures.”

“A fine of not more than Dh150,000 and not less than Dh300,000 or imprisonment will be imposed on anyone who uses donation funds for purposes other than those accepted or collected. A fine of Dh100,000 will be imposed on any entity calling itself a “charitable or humanitarian” association, organization or institution without obtaining certification from the competent authority,” Naqi said.

He added: “Coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, the UAE will witness significant donations in all its forms, which is why the Ministry calls on all philanthropists and donors to ensure that entities receiving these donations, whether in cash, in kind or digital”. ‘They are authorized to collect donations.’

The Ministry of Community Development said regulations were in place for the 34 authorized entities that collect donations within the UAE.

“Authorized entities must obtain permission to raise funds from the competent authority, while the process of collecting donations must be carried out only through charitable organizations. An ordinary person is prohibited from establishing, organizing or participating in any activity aimed at collecting or accepting donations from the public by any means of fundraising, in accordance with the announced guidelines established by the Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism. “

He also said, the Ministry and the competent local authorities will supervise, supervise and monitor the non-profit public sector, intensifying field visits, to ensure the commitment of the associations and their members with the provisions of the law to avoid responsibilities and sanctions. legal. violations. “All authorized and accredited authorities can collect and receive donations throughout the Emirates in accordance with the laws of local authorities.”

Naqi said the Ministry is working diligently to raise awareness within the Emirati community to protect the funds and familiarize them with the approved regulations and requirements. She also urged community members to adhere to the Fundraising Regulatory Law as essential to protect their funds from any exploitation or misuse that is not related to any charitable and humanitarian work. “The law aims to prevent donors from running the risk of financing terrorism and financing illegal organizations, noting that donors must verify authorized entities that collect and receive donations, including charitable associations, federal and local authorities, as well as accredited NGOs. in the United Arab Emirates. “

Naqi said the Fundraising Regulatory Law has specified methods for collecting donations, whether “in cash, in kind or digitally”, through paid funds or vouchers, cash donations in exchange for receipts, text messages SMS, markets, exhibitions, auctions, charities. events. In addition to monthly deductions from personal accounts, bank accounts dedicated to collecting donations, various promotional and marketing offers accompanied by donation requests, ATMs of banks authorized in the UAE, as well as digital platforms adopted by the competent authority for donation collection, social media channels and direct deposits into bank accounts.

As far as Ramadan traditions are concerned, the Law allows for the provision of support and assistance among family members or within the neighborhood to help those in need among family and friends. There are no restrictions on collecting these donations as long as they are within the permitted limit which does not rise to the level of the work of authorized charities. It is emphasized that these authentic community traditions reflect our established values ​​and principles in extending a helping hand to those who deserve it. The Law allows the preparation and distribution of food, clothing and Zakat; donating clothes and money to authorized charities, depositing donations in boxes available in public places and distributing Iftar meals in mosques, neighborhoods and others.

One of the practices prohibited by law is the collection of donations by any person, and the subcontracting of restaurants and kitchens to distribute food, which can only receive donations to prepare meals, but are not authorized to distribute them, since these Restaurants should coordinate with charitable associations in this regard. Some illegal actions include responding to unlicensed or untrustworthy campaigns to collect donations or interacting with these campaigns through social media, collecting donation funds from family and friends to give to charities within or outside the UAE, and using the donation funds in financial speculations or distribute any income from them to members and employees of authorized and authorized entities.

The Law and the list of entities and associations accredited and authorized to collect donations have been uploaded to the Ministry of Community Development website www.mocd.gov.ae. All suspicious practices or cases of donation receipt can be reported informally through the call center 800623 for legal action.

• Ministry of Community Development, local authorities to supervise and supervise the associations.

• Restaurants are prohibited from distributing food packages during Ramadan.

• The competent authorities will closely monitor funding donations and their expenditure.

• Donors should only go to entities authorized to donate funds for Ramadan.

• Donation collection violators face fines of up to Dh500,000, imprisonment and further penalties.

Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation

Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation

Emirates Red Crescent Authority

UAE Water Aid Foundation, Suqia

Tarahum Duabi Charitable Foundation

Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Charitable Foundation

International Charity Organization

Al Etihad Charitable Foundation

Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla Charitable and Humanitarian Est

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Charitable Education Foundation

Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Humanitarian and Charitable Foundation

Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi Foundation for Humanitarian Affairs

Rahma Cancer Patient Care Society

Dubai Charity Association

Sharjah International Charity

Friends of cancer patients

Al Ihsan Charity Association

Umm Al Quwain Charitable Society

Fujairah Charity Association

Social Contribution Authority – Ma’an

Awqaf Foundation and Juvenile Affairs

Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation