UAE: Dh300,000 fine for raising charity funds without permit

Fundraising without a permit is a punishable crime in the UAE -- one that could lead to imprisonment and a fine of up to Dh300,000.

Hessa Abdul Rahman Tahlak, assistant undersecretary of social development at the Ministry of Community Development, said: "Calling people for fundraising to assist certain humanitarian situations by any means of advertising, whether through social media or websites, is a punishable offence."

According to the UAE's Fundraising Regulatory Law, the minimum fine for raising funds without a permit is Dh150,000 and maximum is Dh300,000. Other penalties include imprisonment and confiscation of the funds raised, Tahlak said.

Federal Law No 3 of 2021 prohibits a person from establishing, organising or performing any act with the aim of collecting or accepting fundraising amounts from the public. This is in line with the regulations and measures of the Executive Office for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.

Authorities have conducted 2,400 evaluations and inspections from the beginning of 2019 until the end of last October. Several violators were penalised and given administrative fines.

The Ministry of Community Development emphasised that authorised entities must first obtain a fundraising permit from competent authorities, as per the Fundraising Regulatory Law. Moreover, the collection process should be carried out only through charity associations.

ayaz@khaleejtimes.com