Kuwait issues new Ramadan donation rules: Cash banned, Mosque collection prohibited/Representative Image
Kuwait has announced a comprehensive set of rules for collecting charitable donations during Ramadan 2026, placing firm limits on where and how fundraising activities may take place.The Ministry of Social Affairs has issued a circular to the boards of directors of charitable societies setting out detailed regulations for collecting donations during the holy month of Ramadan, Arab Times Kuwait reported.The circular makes it clear that collecting donations in mosques is strictly prohibited in all forms. Charitable societies are also barred from collecting cash donations of any kind, whether at their headquarters, in public places, or elsewhere.Societies must seek prior approval from the ministry before receiving any donations from outside Kuwait, in line with Article 30 of Law No. 24 of 1962 governing clubs and public benefit societies.Donation collection is limited to licensed methods approved under Ministerial Resolution No. 128A of 2016 and its amendments. These methods include K-Net payments, online donations, bank transfers, smartphone applications, electronic collection devices, and SMS donations via telecommunications companies. The ministry has also banned the collection of donations in locations such as shopping malls, public squares, and similar venues unless specific approval is granted.
Financial controls and compliance measures
The circular restricts the use of bank accounts to those that belong to charitable societies and are officially approved by the ministry. Associations are required to ensure that their representatives carry identification cards and present them upon request by ministry inspection and monitoring teams.All donations must be recorded accurately, including the donation date, the donor’s name, and all relevant details. Donors must be given a copy of the deduction receipt after their information is recorded, and a K-Net receipt must be provided once the withdrawal process is completed.To prevent discrepancies, all donation amounts must be written both in numerals and in words.Advertisements soliciting donations are not permitted on the interior or exterior walls of mosques.
Rules for non-cash donations
The ministry has laid out detailed procedures for handling non-cash donations such as gold, silver, cars, valuables, and other items. These donations must be recorded according to weight or type, along with their equivalent value in Kuwaiti dinars.For gold and silver donations, associations must attach a sales invoice to verify the jewellery’s sale price. For cars and other valuable items, multiple price quotations must be obtained to ensure the highest offer is selected, based on purchase requests and in accordance with each association’s procedures. All such processes must take place exclusively at the association’s headquarters.
Reporting requirements and new aid category
Charitable societies are required to submit a comprehensive report to the ministry detailing all Ramadan donation revenues. The report must include records of K-Net transactions, electronic collection devices, cheques, online donations, bank transfers, and SMS contributions.Separately, the ministry circulated a memo to board members announcing the addition of a new category of beneficiaries to the central aid system. The category includes single Kuwaiti women aged 30 and above whose fathers are deceased.This initiative will be implemented as a pilot programme. The memo stated that if the programme proves beneficial, these women will continue to receive assistance as approved primary cases. It also called for a thorough review of applications in line with established aid procedures, stressing the importance of verifying official proof of the father’s death.The ministry said the measures are part of its ongoing efforts to regulate charitable activities, strengthen transparency, and ensure full compliance with laws and regulations. Go to Source
