Amir hails Gulf Cup success
Sheikh Meshal thanks Kuwaiti people and officials, congratulates winners Bahrain
HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah extended his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Kuwaiti people for their hospitality and good deeds towards Gulf Cup fans that contributed to the success of Khaleeji Zain 26. This came in a speech by HH the Amir during his reception of the supreme organizing committee of the Gulf Cup Tuesday in the presence of HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah and First Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah.
In the speech, HH the Amir thanked Minister of Information and Culture, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the Gulf Cup Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, President of Kuwait Football Association and Vice Chairman of the Supreme Committee Sheikh Ahmad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah and the committee members for their efforts. HH the Amir also extended appreciation to HH the Prime Minister and all the concerned ministers, officials and volunteers for their tireless efforts, which culminated in the success of this sporting event that reflected the readiness of Kuwait to organize such tournaments.
HH the Amir congratulated Bahrain on winning the cup, extending appreciation to all participating teams, wishing them success in upcoming events. Furthermore, HH the Amir affirmed full support for the continuation of the development renaissance witnessed by Kuwait in various fields, especially sports, and the ambition of hosting the Asian Football Cup in the near future.
Minister of Information Al-Mutairi, and on behalf of the supreme committee members, thanked HH the Amir for this reception and the kind sentiments. “Your generous sponsorship of this sporting event was not just a support for sports, but rather a noble message that reflects your constant keenness to consolidate the values of brotherhood and fraternity among the peoples of the Arabian Gulf and to embody Kuwait’s pioneering role as a center of love and peace in the region,” said Al-Mutairi. The meeting was attended by senior state officials. — KUNA
Namaa provides winter relief aid to Gaza and Yemen
Kuwait’s Namaa Charity Society continues its extensive humanitarian campaigns, bringing aid to vulnerable populations in Gaza and Yemen. In the northern Gaza Strip, Namaa Charity launched a winter relief campaign to support forcibly displaced. The initiative included the distribution of leather and nylon tarps, winter clothing, tents and food supplies to those in need.
“This campaign is part of our ongoing humanitarian response to alleviate the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip, who endure difficult conditions, especially during the winter season,” said Abdulaziz Al-Kandari, Namaa Charity’s Executive Vice President. Al-Kandari highlighted that this aid is part of a series of relief projects designed to improve the living conditions of families facing severe hardships. He also expressed deep gratitude to the people of Kuwait for their unwavering generosity, describing their support as a source of hope for refugees.
Marwan Muhaisen, President of the Wafa Association for Development and Capacity Building, praised Kuwait’s leadership, government and people for their vital contributions to Gaza. “The distribution of leather and nylon tarps addresses the urgent need to protect refugee families from harsh winter conditions, where rain and floods pose a direct threat to their lives,” he said. Muhaisen emphasized that Kuwaiti aid significantly alleviates the suffering of refugees living in camps with inadequate infrastructure
Simultaneously, Namaa Charity has extended its winter relief efforts to Yemen, where harsh winter conditions also threaten vulnerable communities. In Yemen’s Marib and Ibb governorates, the organization distributed blankets and winter clothing to more than 1,000 individuals, including children and the elderly.
Jamal Al-Faqih, Director of the Heteen Foundation, which executed the project, expressed his gratitude to Kuwait’s leadership, government and people, as well as to Namaa Charity, for their ongoing support. “This campaign aims to alleviate the winter hardships faced by Yemeni families by providing essential supplies to ensure warmth and protection,” he said.
Al-Faqih commended Kuwait’s longstanding commitment to supporting Yemen, noting that the country has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership in global humanitarian and relief efforts. Namaa Charity’s campaign in Yemen has been running for 10 years. Last week, the organization distributed winter essentials to around 5,000 individuals across various Yemeni governorates. — KUNA
Namaa Charity and the General Secretariat of Awqaf Announce Beneficiaries of the "University Student Support" Project
- Al-Kandari: "Supporting University Students" embodies Namaa's vision of investing in people and fulfilling the aspirations of youth.
- Al-Khadr: The General Secretariat of Awqaf continues to implement the wishes of donors to support students and achieve sustainable development.
- Al-Bassam: Our partnership with the General Secretariat of Awqaf is a model for enhancing human development and empowering youth.
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Namaa Charity, affiliated with the Social Reform Society, announced during a press conference attended by Abdulaziz Al-Kandari, Deputy CEO of Namaa Charity, and Nasser Al-Khadr, representative of the General Secretariat of Awqaf, the beneficiaries of the "University Student Support" project for the first semester of the current academic year. The number of beneficiaries during the first semester of this academic year reached approximately 816 male and female students, while around 3972 students have benefited from the project since its inception. This pioneering project is considered a model of strategic partnership between charitable and governmental institutions, aiming to support university students who are financially unable to continue their education.
Abdulaziz Al-Kandari began by stating that the "University Student Support" project is a practical embodiment of Namaa Charity's vision to invest in people, noting that it is impossible to build an advanced society without education. He emphasized that Namaa Charity not only provides financial support to students but also offers them the opportunity to realize their academic dreams and contribute to the development of their community. Education is the foundation for building nations, and this project aims to bridge the educational gap that prevents young people from achieving their ambitions.
He added that since the project began in the academic year 2020-2021 until now, a total of 3972 students have benefited from it, with a total amount exceeding 1,998,053 Kuwaiti Dinars. Just in the first semester of this year, 816 students were supported. He indicated that these figures reflect the impact of the project on the lives of beneficiaries and their families.
When asked about support for students in general education stages, Al-Kandari stated that Namaa Charity has not overlooked school students, as it implements the "Teach Me, and You Will Be Rewarded" project, which supports underprivileged students and orphans at various educational levels. Since 2017, 8,538 students have benefited from the project, including 1,000 beneficiaries in the first semester of this year. He explained that the project aims to combat educational dropouts and provide equitable educational opportunities, focusing on outstanding students to ensure the continuity of their education.
Al-Kandari clarified that the "University Student Support" project and the "Teach Me, and You Will Be Rewarded" project embody the commitment to the motto of Namaa Charity, "We Care for People." Education is the key to building a bright future, and we are continuing to fulfill our mission to ensure sustainable education that opens doors of opportunity for everyone in need.
"Furthermore, Al-Kandari concluded his statement by saying: We extend our gratitude to the General Secretariat of Awqaf for their continuous support of these humanitarian projects, which enhance Kuwait's position as a beacon of charitable and humanitarian work. Through our strategic partnerships, we continue to empower youth to achieve their academic dreams so that they can be part of a bright future that contributes to the development of the nation and society.
For his part, Nasser Al-Khudher, Director of the Endowment Projects Department at the General Secretariat of Awqaf, stated that the General Secretariat of Awqaf plays a pivotal role in managing the endowment funds dedicated to supporting education, in accordance with the conditions stipulated by the endowers in the endowment deeds. This partnership is not just cooperation; it is a model of integrated work that serves the vision of Kuwait 2035 and the sustainable development goals. Thanks to this partnership, we contribute to empowering youth, enhancing social solidarity values, and building a conscious and educated generation capable of uplifting their community.
Al-Khudher confirmed that this partnership has resulted in the acceptance of 816 students who met the required criteria. He noted that the project reflects our commitment to implementing the endowment deeds and the allocations specified therein, especially those designated to support scientific development. He explained that the project ensures support for students studying at universities accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education in Kuwait, whether inside or outside the country, praying to Allah the Almighty that these students will aid in the development and construction of the nation.
Al-Khudher added that the General Secretariat of Awqaf works to fulfill the endowers’ conditions and direct endowment funds to support eligible students. We hope that this project contributes to building a conscious generation capable of contributing to the sustainable development of our beloved country.
In turn, Walid Al-Bassam, Head of the Projects and Development Sector at Nama Charity, expressed his pride in this partnership aimed at enhancing human development, pointing out that Nama Charity operates under the slogan “We Care for Humanity,” inspired by the saying of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him: “Whoever walks a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.”
Al-Bassam confirmed that this is the eighth season of the project, during which 3,972 students have been supported over the past four years through 8 academic semesters, with a full commitment to the endowers' conditions and directing aid to cover tuition fees. Al-Bassam concluded with a prayer, saying: We ask Allah to grant success to the students and guide their steps so that they become effective members in serving their nation and community."/Al-Mujtama
Kuwait unveils digital platform to improve local charity work
Central database to prevent duplicated aid, ensure timely assistance
The Ministry of Social Affairs has launched a central digital platform designed to improve coordination among charitable organizations and ensure the fair and efficient distribution of aid. This initiative is part of the ministry’s broader efforts to modernize charitable work and digitize related processes.
In a statement published by KUNA on Sunday, the ministry said a new “central aid program” aims to establish a central database that consolidates all applicants for various types of assistance. This will simplify the process of identifying deserving cases while minimizing the risk of duplicate aid distributions.
Efforts to organize sector
The ministry has recently launched efforts to better organize the charitable sector. Last November, Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah issued several ministerial decisions to dissolve 15 charities following inspection visits to assess the adherence of charities to the regulations governing charitable work and to determine their effectiveness in delivering community services. The investigations revealed that some of the foundations had not been actively engaged in any real activities for years. Additionally, their bank accounts had been closed for an extended period, and they had failed to submit required budgets or financial reports.
In September, the ministry temporarily suspended the financial accounts of five organizations due to their failure to submit the necessary reports. It stressed that any charity that fails to submit reports on time will face a temporary suspension of its financial accounts until the required documentation is provided. This measure is aimed at ensuring transparency, in line with ministerial resolutions.
How the platform will work
The platform’s main advantage, said the ministry, is that it will streamline coordination between charitable organizations and foundations, enhancing transparency in the aid request process and preventing duplicate distributions.
The program is integrated with the Mobile ID application, which includes the digital version of people’s civil ID. Charities will be able to access preliminary information about beneficiaries, such as the type of assistance requested and the number of household members that need assistance. Although the platform will carry sensitive information about a beneficiary, such as their civil ID number and address, the ministry assures that personal data will be protected until it’s needed by a charity after it begins processing a request.
The platform will alert both charity associations and the ministry if requests remain open for more than two weeks without a response. This will facilitate the redirection of requests to other associations to ensure timely assistance for beneficiaries. The platform will generate daily or monthly analytical reports on the types, values, and number of beneficiaries receiving assistance, thus empowering the ministry and the charities to make data-driven decisions and maximize community benefits.
The Foreign Ministry database
As a UN humanitarian center, Kuwait takes pride in its relief efforts, which have been a lifeline for communities in distress both locally and globally. While the Ministry of Social Affairs’ initiative to digitize charitable work in Kuwait is the first of its kind, other government agencies have implemented similar systems. For instance, the foreign ministry maintains a database to track the country’s charitable activities abroad, ensuring transparency and preventing misuse of funds in activities such as terrorism and money laundering. This database also requires foreign charitable organizations to register with Kuwaiti missions abroad before being authorized to collect donations in the country.
The big picture
The ministry said the program represents an important step towards enhancing transparency and improving charitable work mechanisms, in line with Kuwait’s developmental vision (New Kuwait 2035). It explained that the system is a chance for cooperation between charitable organizations and government institutions, offering a unified platform under one umbrella to enable charitable organizations to carry out their operations more efficiently. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to further developing the charitable work environment, contributing to achieving sustainable development goals, and enhancing social solidarity within Kuwaiti society. — Agencies
Hofath: Registration Open for the Second Semester in 57 Quranic Centers
The Kuwaiti Charity Association for the Service of the Holy Quran and Its Sciences (Hofath) announced the opening of registration for Quranic circles of all types for the second semester through 57 Quranic centers in the governorates of Kuwait.
The treasurer of the association and member of the board, Adel Al-Draiban, stated that registration in the “Hofath” circles for the second semester is available for all ages from 4 years old and above; for boys, girls, men, and women, to study in the “Hofath” centers, which number more than 57 Quranic centers across various regions of Kuwait, featuring 789 circles with over 7,000 students. These centers are supported by a distinguished educational and supervisory team and specialized members of the association in teaching memorization and Quranic sciences and readings.
He added that the Kuwaiti Charity Association for the Service of the Holy Quran and Its Sciences (Hofath) invites parents to enroll their children in the Quranic centers, where regular sessions will be held in mosques, taking place twice a week in the evening. In addition to memorizing the Holy Quran, these sessions will include teaching Islamic values and etiquette, as well as various cultural and recreational activities.
Al-Draiban explained that the association has launched the educational framework “Our Enjoyable Arabic Language Series,” which is a specialized educational curriculum designed to facilitate the teaching of Arabic letters and reading from the Quran for students in the Quranic circles. This curriculum aims to teach reading and writing in Arabic for students in the foundational stages aged 4-6 years, in addition to specialized memorization circles for memorizing and perfecting the entire Holy Quran. It targets all students from various segments of society. To register in "Hofath" centers and circles, you can contact the hotline at 65621281./ Al-Mujtama
IICO: Over 6.4 million Beneficiaries from Our Projects at a Cost Exceeding $73.5 Million in 2024
The International Islamic Charity Organization revealed significant humanitarian and developmental achievements during the year 2024, having implemented 9,214 diverse projects in social, educational, developmental, and cultural fields in 56 countries, with a total cost of $73,554,590, benefiting 6,449,423 individuals.
Ibrahim Khalid Al-Badr, the Deputy Director-General for Institutional Communication, confirmed in a press statement that these achievements were made possible thanks to the efforts of the organization's working teams, which consist of 33 volunteer teams and initiatives with 711 volunteers, alongside operations through 15 branches within Kuwait and 11 offices abroad, in cooperation with many local and global partner organizations.
Al-Badr highlighted that the charity works according to a strategic vision extending to the year 2026, focusing on building and empowering individuals across various educational, cultural, social, and economic fields to improve the living conditions of the most needy communities.
He explained that the organization managed to achieve outstanding results in social projects, having implemented 276 projects at a cost of $26,523,836, benefiting over 5,648,769 individuals in 34 countries, which included projects for breaking the fast during Ramadan, animal sacrifices, winter clothing, shelter, home renovations, Zakat al-Fitr, support for needy families, patients and individuals with disabilities, orphan sponsorship, relief projects, building and equipping health centers, providing medical care, and performing surgical operations.
Regarding educational projects, Al-Badr indicated that they received special attention, as the authority implemented 102 projects in 21 countries at a cost of $27,778,880. These projects benefited 46,929 individuals, including students, teachers, and administrators. The initiatives included the construction and equipping of schools, payment of tuition fees, sponsorship of students and teachers, and provision of school buses.
In the realm of cultural projects, Al-Badr explained that the authority accomplished 177 projects valued at $11,810,686. These projects included building mosques and Islamic centers, scientific conferences, sponsorship of preachers, supporting Quran projects, and Shafi'i projects, benefiting 58,102 people in 43 countries.
On the topic of sustainable development projects, which represent a pioneering model in empowering communities and achieving economic development, Al-Badr emphasized that the charitable authority places significant importance on development and economic empowerment projects due to their role in transitioning vulnerable groups from reliance on aid to a space of work and productivity. The authority implemented 8,659 projects at a cost of $7,441,187 in 29 countries, benefiting 695,623 individuals, with initiatives ranging from water, energy, and agriculture projects to programs aimed at rehabilitating underprivileged groups, and small and micro enterprises.
Al-Badr pointed out a unique project, celebrated for completing its phases in December 2024, which addresses learning difficulties among Syrian refugee and displaced students in Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon. This project aims to tackle educational deficits resulting from displacement conditions through compensatory programs, educational materials, and specialized curricula. The initiative seeks to provide sustainable solutions to the learning difficulties faced by about 15,000 students, benefiting over 2,000 teachers, in addition to supporting numerous educational and academic institutions. He emphasized the uniqueness of this project, which is the first of its kind, as it establishes a detailed methodology for diagnosing and treating learning difficulties, developed by 22 academic, technical, and administrative teams, involving 164 experts from 12 Arab universities.
Al-Badr added that the authority launched the "Sanda" initiative to enhance humanitarian interventions and early recovery in the Gaza Strip in coordination with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The initiative was part of the ninth Effective Partnership Conference under the slogan "Humanitarian Partnership," with the participation of 147 organizations from 48 countries. The value of the announced programs to support shelter, health, education, and economic empowerment within the initiative approached two billion dollars.
Al-Badr concluded his statement by affirming that the accomplishments achieved by the charitable authority came through God's grace, followed by the support of political leadership for charitable work, the generosity of donors, and the dedication of the authority's workers and volunteers. He praised the role of local and international partners in translating the authority's goals into reality and expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to supporting its humanitarian and developmental projects./ Al-Mujtama
