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Temporary charity regulations reshape giving practices in Kuwait

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KUWAIT: With the virtuous ten days of Dhul Hijjah now underway, conversations about good deeds—such as charity, Eid Al-Adha sacrifices, and community support— have grown louder. However, this season of giving has unfolded differently in Kuwait, following a government decision to temporarily suspend all fundraising activities.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and how people in Kuwait are adapting.

Q: What exactly is happening with charity work in Kuwait?

A: In April 2025, Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs issued a decision to temporarily suspend all fundraising activities. This came after authorities identified unauthorized websites collecting donations without proper oversight.

The ministry said the goal is to “reorganize and restructure” the charity sector, ensuring greater transparency, unified mechanisms, and compliance with governance standards, protecting Kuwait’s reputation as a trusted global humanitarian leader.

Q: Can people still donate?

A: Yes, giving hasn’t stopped, it has just become more centralized. Donations can still be made through officially sanctioned platforms, most notably the Zakat House, a government body established in 1982.

Through its projects supporting orphans, food distribution, Eid sacrifices, and more, Zakat House continues to facilitate giving both inside and outside Kuwait. Donations can be made via its website or through the government’s Sahel app.

Religious leaders are also encouraging traditional forms of charity, such as helping a struggling neighbor or family member.

Q: Why has this decision sparked mixed reactions?

A: While some Kuwaitis and residents support the move, seeing it as a necessary measure to prevent fraud and restore order in the charitable sector, others feel restricted by the limited options now available.

People who were used to donating directly to smaller organizations, such as those helping animals, sponsoring orphans, or supporting niche causes, are finding it harder to reach them.

Another group, while supportive of stricter governance, is urging the government to provide alternative mechanisms swiftly so that urgent needs are not neglected.

Q: Why is this such an emotional issue in Kuwait?

A: Charity is deeply woven into Kuwait’s social and religious fabric, it’s part of the country’s identity. Kuwait ranked first in the Arab world and seventh globally in charitable giving, according to Statista’s 2023 Global Giving Index.

Moreover, on September 9, 2014, Kuwait earned international recognition by the United Nations as a Humanitarian Center, and His Highness the Amir was honored as a Humanitarian Leader.

Institutions like the International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO)—founded by Kuwaiti law in 1986 and headquartered in Kuwait—have long served as a symbol of the nation’s commitment to global humanitarianism. Operating across dozens of countries, the IICO reflects Kuwait’s deeply rooted values of compassion, neutrality, and service to humanity, offering aid without regard to political or sectarian divides.

Q: What has the government done to address concerns and improve the system?

A: Kuwaiti authorities are actively working to build a more resilient charitable system. A delegation from the Committee for Regulating Humanitarian and Charitable Work recently visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to study their models.

These visits are part of a broader effort to strengthen Kuwait’s own framework by adopting best practices from across the GCC.

Following the visits, the committee has recommended reinstating ‘Adahi’ livestock donation projects ahead of Eid Al-Adha, along with resuming charity bank deductions for orphans. It also called for launching awareness campaigns in partnership with the Ministry of Information and KUNA to promote transparency and informed charitable giving.

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Kuwait Commerce Min.: Protecting industrial system is Nat’l responsibility

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 KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) Khalifa Al-Ajeel said on Monday that protecting the commercial and industrial system is a “national responsibility that requires concerted efforts.”

Minister Al-Ajeel emphasized in a statement to KUNA following an extensive inspection campaign in the south Amghara scrap yard, to “firmly deal with all violations and encroachments in accordance with legal frameworks where no one is above the law.”

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Al-Ajeel confirmed the continuation of inspection campaigns as well until the desired goals are reached, foremost being is restoring order and discipline to the area and removing all violations and encroachments.

He affirmed the ministry and the PAI’s commitment to cooperating with relevant authorities to continue these campaigns to ensure a safe and organized industrial and commercial environment.

The campaign resulted in the seizure of several violations and closure of several non-compliant units in preparation for taking necessary legal action against their exploiters.

Participating in the campaign was General Fire Force (KFF) Chief Major General Talal Al-Roumi, along with several executive leaders from the PAI. — KUNA

 

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Human Rights Committee session begins with focus on Gaza, regional challenges

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CAIRO: The 56th regular session of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights commenced on Monday with the participation of Kuwait and representatives from Arab states concerned with human rights affairs. In his opening address, Ahmed Maghari, supervisor of the Human Rights Department at the League of Arab States, underscored the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling it a stark indicator of the region’s human rights reality. “We cannot speak of the state of human rights without acknowledging the catastrophic conditions faced by our brothers in Gaza, where securing the most basic necessities has become a matter of survival,” he said. Maghari described the ongoing Zionist aggression in Gaza as a profound moral and humanitarian challenge, noting that the Palestinian people continue to endure daily suffering under constant bombardment, displacement and destruction. He lamented the international community’s continued inaction in the face of clear violations of international law and human rights norms. “The occupying power persists in defying international legitimacy and the decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the International Court of Justice,” he said.

Held at a time of mounting regional tensions, the session comes amid escalating challenges that directly affect fundamental human rights. Maghari highlighted the Committee’s historic role since its establishment in 1968 in developing the Arab human rights framework both legally and practically, while also fostering cooperation with regional and international partners. He expressed hope that the session would yield effective recommendations to help confront the pressing challenges in the region. He pointed to the rise of conflicts and violence globally, along with the resulting serious human rights violations, as major concerns.

Emerging issues such as the intersection of human rights with climate change, artificial intelligence, and the spread of alien ideologies that undermine human dignity were also noted. “In light of these challenges, we must reinforce our solidarity and collective action to enhance peace, stability, and the security of our societies,” Maghari added. The two-day session, chaired by Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights, will review the General Secretariat’s report on the implementation of previous recommendations up to the 55th session.

Discussions will also focus on Zionist violations in occupied Arab territories, the plight of Arab prisoners and detainees in Zionist prisons, and the issue of the bodies of Palestinian and Arab martyrs held in so-called “numbered cemeteries.” Other agenda items include the Arab Charter on Human Rights and preparations for Arab Human Rights Day, which will be observed on March 16, 2026. Kuwait is represented at the meeting by a delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah.— KUNA

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Crown Prince receives Egyptian Deputy PM

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday at Bayan Palace the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Lieutenant General Kamel Abdulhadi Al-Wazir, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their official visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.– KUNA photos

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