Decree regulating charity and fund-raising issued for Dubai

DUBAI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has issued a decree to regulate fund-raising and charitable donations in the emirate of Dubai.

The decree aims to helps encourage community members to donate and make sure that money collected through fund-raising is transparent.

It defined donations as “the act of virtue by which the owner voluntarily transfers the title and possession from himself to another without any consideration for the purpose of charitable work and includes Zakat and alms”.

The decree also prohibits the collection of donations or advertising of fund-raising campaigns without first obtaining prior written approval from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.

An exception is made for fund-raising campaigns launched by the rulers of each Emirate and by government entities.

The decree says that authorities delegated to the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department should encourage community members to donate, revise and approve fund-raising requests, and monitor and oversee fund-raising activities in the emirate of Dubai,

Anyone found breaching the conditions of Decree No 9 of 2015 can be subject to two months to one year imprisonment and a Dh5,000 to Dh100,000 fine, or one of the defined penalties, as the court deems fit.

The new legislation overwrites and annuls any other legislation issued previously on the subject.

It is to be published in the Official Gazette and is considered active from the date of publication.