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Ramadan 2025 in UAE: Fines, guidelines set to ensure safe donations during holy month
Community members are encouraged to report any suspicious or illegal donation campaigns through the call center at 800623
- PUBLISHED: Tue 25 Feb 2025, 2:26 PM
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the Ministry of Community Empowerment has launched the second season of its campaign, 'Donate safely, protect your money from exploitation', aiming to enhance the culture of giving while ensuring the safety of donors.
The ministry emphasises that individuals and organisations must adhere to Federal Law, which regulates donation practices and imposes strict penalties for non-compliance, including fines and potential imprisonment for unauthorised fundraising activities.
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Requirements for donation
Under the guidelines, entities wishing to collect donations must obtain necessary permits from relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Community Empowerment and local regulatory bodies. Donations can only be collected through officially licensed charitable organisations, significantly reducing the risk of exploitation and ensuring that funds are directed to legitimate causes.
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The UAE relies on strict legislation and regulations that ensure donations reach their rightful recipients, such as the 'Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Laws'.
Clear procedures have been established, requiring organisations to specify the purpose of fundraising, that include identifying the entity responsible for collecting donations, which must be a charitable organisation or an accredited institution.
It also requires clearly stating the purpose of the donation collection, detailing how funds will be spent and distributed, identifying beneficiaries and locations where the collection will occur, and specifying the methods used to collect funds and others.
This proactive approach aims to prevent donations from reaching unauthorised entities and being misused for non-charitable purposes.
Donation methods
The ministry has also outlined permitted donation methods, including cash donations, digital platforms, and in-kind contributions which include boxes, prepaid coupons, cash donations in exchange for receipts, SMS donations and others.
Regarding in-kind donations, whether food or medical, the law permits collecting such contributions as long as they comply with specified standards. Donations can also be made among family members or neighbors to support relatives, friends, and deserving individuals.
However, donors should refrain from outsourcing specific restaurants or kitchens to distribute iftar meals to fasting individuals and should avoid engaging with unlicensed or unreliable campaigns.
Individuals are strictly prohibited from initiating donation campaigns on social media without obtaining the necessary licenses, as such actions could lead to legal repercussions, including imprisonment and fines as emphasised by the Federal Law on cybercrimes.
The ministry's campaign seeks to bolster community awareness about the legal frameworks governing donations. Awareness workshops will be organised to educate the public on verified channels for giving, aligning with the UAE's ongoing efforts to promote transparency in charitable activities.
Community members are encouraged to report any suspicious or illegal donation campaigns through the call center at 800623.
Ruqayya Alqaydi is a Special Correspondent with an endless curiosity to learn. Like a journalist on a caffeine overdrive, she is fuelled by passion and on a mission to uncover every gem in the UAE.