Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Raising funds from public? Get MoSD nod

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Beware, clubs and associations collecting funds from the public. The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) has urged all to comply with the rules governing fund collection from the public.


“No association or club can collect money from the public without a written authorisation from the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD),” said a senior MoSD official.


“Sending money out of the country by an association or a club needs to be validated,” he said.


A total of 12 clubs, 120 associations, 58 women’s associations, 31 professional associations and 31 charity organisations are registered under the ministry.


The membership fees, annual fees and other amount collected from members can be utilised inside the country. “At the same time, the executive bodies of associations should be careful when raising funds from the public and sending the same out of the country.” “Donating funds in response to advertisements by charity organisations inside the country is allowed, but individual collection or depositing funds in the name of individuals is prohibited,” said the official.


Campaigning on social media for a charitable cause which doesn’t come under the purview of the ministry or individuals inviting donations for charities outside the country is a punishable offence if they are not done in coordination with the Oman Charitable Organisation.


Oman Charitable Organisation is a government body empowered to collect donations for social service and other grievance redressal initiatives across the world.


“If these charities are aimed at helping people suffering from natural calamities or manmade disasters in another country, these donations have to be channelised through Oman Charitable Organisation,” he added.


As per Articles 299 and 300 of the revised Oman Penal Code (OPC), no money shall be collected for a charity outside the country and the government’s charity collection and distribution arm will be the only authority that can do so.


He advised all citizens and residents to be careful about who they are donating the money to, and donors should know where the funds are sent to or utilised for.


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