Kuwait has introduced tighter regulations on charity fundraising ahead of Ramadan 2026, banning cash collections and donations inside mosques while mandating the use of approved digital and banking channels. The move is part of a broader effort by authorities to strengthen oversight, transparency, and compliance across the charitable sector during the holy month.
Ramadan is expected to begin around Thursday, February 19, and the new rules apply to all registered charitable societies planning to collect donations during that period. Under the updated framework, charities are prohibited from collecting cash at their headquarters or in public places, or through mosque-based drives, practices that were previously common during Ramadan.
Instead, donations must be processed through licensed channels such as K-Net payments, bank transfers, online platforms, mobile applications, authorised electronic collection devices, and SMS contributions via telecom providers. Only ministry-approved bank accounts belonging to registered charities may be used to receive funds.
Authorities have also restricted fundraising in malls and public squares without prior approval and required charities to obtain advance permission before accepting donations from outside Kuwait. Organisations must maintain detailed records of donors and provide official receipts, while non-cash contributions – including valuables like gold or vehicles – must be formally documented and valued.
The Ministry of Social Affairs said the measures are designed to ensure charitable assistance reaches eligible beneficiaries under clear legal and supervisory frameworks, while curbing unregulated fundraising and improving accountability during one of the busiest donation periods of the year.
