Centre fined for hosting Kim Kardashian without approval

The reality TV star met physically challeged students at the centre and distributed T-shirts

Controversies are not new to American celebrity Kim Kardashian. But the reality TV actor has brought deep trouble to Rashid Centre for the Disabled in Dubai.
The Ministry of Community Development fined the Rashid Centre for hosting Kardashian and organising a programme without prior approval from the ministry. It has a set of criteria for any activity's approval, complying with the customs and traditions of the UAE.
Wafa Hamad Bin Sulaiman, director of care management and rehabilitation of people with disabilities at the Ministry of Community Development, said that the ministry has formed a special committee to look into the issue and the investigation is going on.
Kardashian, on her recent visit to Dubai, met physically challenged students at the Rashid Centre and distributed T-shirts bearing her images. However, the Rashid Centre said that as it did not intend to exploit the disabled, it went ahead with hosting Kadarshian without prior approval. 
According to Bin Sulaiman, the centre did not get enough time to inform the ministry, noting that Kardashian asked them not to inform the media about the activity.
Bin Sulaiman pointed out that the centre did not get approval for students being photographed with the globally known socialite, wearing the T-shirts she gifted them.
She added that there is a set of standards which protects students with disabilities from exploitation and protects the privacy of students with disabilities. 
According to Decree No. (9) for the year 2015, Dubai prohibits rehabilitation centres and non-governmental organisations from receiving donations in any form. Whatever be the activity, to raise funds or advertise through various media, written application should be submitted to the competent authorities and must obtain prior approval before proceeding with any work related to collecting donations. The ministry said it would have refused the centre's programme, stressing that there are set standards that should be adhered to, the most important is commitment to local traditions.
What the law says
There are ministerial decrees that govern the functioning of these centres. In the event of non-compliance with the Council of Ministers Resolution No. (7) for the year 2010, depending on the type of violation and frequency, it results in penalties which leads to closure of the centre and eventually will be brought under the tutelage of the Ministry of Community Development.
amira@khaleejtimes.com