Saudi minister lashes out at groups raising donations

Cairo: A senior Saudi government official has sharply criticised groups illegally raising donations on religious grounds.

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs and Guidance Abdullatif Al Alsheikh made the remarks as some groups were uncovered illegally attempting to raise donations in the run-up to the month of Ramadan, marked by benevolence.

“We must stop this huge bleeding coming out of the Muslims’ pockets and work together to deliver aid to those who deserve it,” the official told the Saudi TV Al Ekhbariya.

“It is not just anyone who comes forward and says, “Pay 1 riyal, 30 riyals to build a mosque, and pay 90 riyals to build three mosques.” This is a lie,” he added.

“On my personal responsibility, there are many associations that market themselves and say, “I will sponsor an orphan and a widow, and pay bills for so-and-so!” Who will guarantee this for me?”
The minister called for cooperation to ensure that the aid, which he estimated to total billions of riyals annually, will actually reach the people who deserve it.

Earlier this week, Al Alsheikh disclosed that a company was collecting money from the public purportedly for constructing and renovating mosques. The unidentified company alleged it had obtained official approvals for raising donations, but it hadn’t.

Another group was monitored advertising for donation collection to build mosques in the holy city of Mecca although this group has not got sites for such construction and the ministry had not issued related approvals, according to Al Alsheikh.
He warned that such violations are on the rise in the run-up to Ramadan expected to begin on Saturday. He urged members of the public not to be misled by unauthorised calls for donations that should go through official channels.

As part of regulations for the work of mosques during the fasting month of Ramadan, Saudi authorities have banned collecting donations for the Iftar (fast-breaking) projects.