UAE successfully promotes charity work, translates it into community culture

ABU DHABI – The UAE has successfully promoted the concept of charitable work and transformed it into a community culture and ethical code by leveraging the moral heritage of community members.

In this context, the UAE participates in the celebration of the International Day of Charity on September 5 each year.

Federal Law No. 3 of 2021 regulating fundraising activities regulates donation collection in the country, protects donor funds, and ensures the legality of the process.

The UAE is home to several charitable initiatives and activities implemented by relevant authorities in a wide range of popular interactions, including those aimed at addressing disease and health issues, building mosques and digging wells, and emergency relief operations.

The country prioritizes charitable work, a humanitarian value based on non-discriminatory giving to all humanity.

The UAE’s charitable work gains momentum through the contributions of citizens and residents. The institutionalisation of charity work in the UAE has also transformed it into a culture of community, evident from humanitarian donations and initiatives around the world to help victims and people in need.

Dozens of charities and organisations operate in the UAE, supporting those in need around the world, especially during crises and emergencies.

The UAE has established a regulatory and organizational framework to support charitable work in a number of ways, including volunteering, donations and Zakat.

UAE citizens can apply to form a charitable association through the Ministry of Community Development website, while residents must send their application requests to their country’s embassies and consulates in the UAE.

According to the UAE government, the authorities responsible for social and humanitarian action are the Ministry of Community Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, National Emergencies, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, General Directorate of Endowment Funds and Islamic Affairs, Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority, Zakat Ministry of Funds, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities, Sharjah Social Contribution Authority (Ma’an), Ministry of Social Responsibility and Social Services – Sharjah.

The law allows only licensed parties to collect donations in accordance with the rules and requirements of parties wishing to collect or make donations within the state, including free zones. The law also protects the donation process from financial terrorism and exploitation by illegal organizations.

Offences punishable by donation management laws include collecting donations from the public through any type of advertising, whether through social media or a website, to help some humanitarian cases.