DUBAI // Residents should ensure they donate only to licensed charities, particularly during Ramadan, when some may take advantage of people’s goodwill, officials warned.
Mubarak Al Jabri of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Department said that Dubai had 19 licensed charities. “For those who wish to raise funds for any particular reason, they must cooperate with one of the emirate’s licensed charities and through an official event help raise funds,” he said.
“To post a plea on social media websites asking people to donate and transfer money to a bank account is illegal. The charity with which they cooperate will then send the required documents to the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Department.”
Mr Al Jabri said that people who gave money to bank accounts of unlicensed organisations or individuals had no way of knowing what the money would be used for, especially in cases when the funds are transferred abroad.
“How do they know that the money is going for the specified purpose? What if they are unknowingly donating to a terrorist organisation?” he said.
“The most dangerous of cases, and it has happened, is of people transferring funds abroad not knowing what the money was actually going towards.”
Mr Al Jabri said that the first port of call for anyone wishing to raise funds is a licensed charity, where they will be asked to clarify who they are and what they are fundraising for. People can find the list of licensed charities in Dubai on the department website, iacad.gov.ae.
Meanwhile, Dubai Police said it arrested 35 beggars in the first few days of the holy month as part of its annual clampdown.
Col Mohammed Al Muheiri, director of the tourist security department, said: “Begging is a crime punishable by law and once a beggar is arrested, an investigation is launched to reveal the true nature of the person’s situation,” he said. “If ... the person needs help, he is directed to one of the [licensed] charities. However, if the person is not, in fact, in need of assistance, they are prosecuted and deported.”
Col Al Muheiri urged people not to fall victim to begging, because it posed a danger to society. “Begging can turn into serious crime, such as theft, and we ask people to contact the police if they spot a beggar,” he said.
People can report beggars by calling 0502106969, 800243 or by emailing cid@dubaipolice.gov.ae.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
