MP hits Husainiya donation ‘seizures’

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KUWAIT CITY, Sept 15: MP Saleh Ashour criticized the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor for allowing its employees to enter Husainiyas and confiscate donation boxes. In response to the lawmaker, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and State Minister for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh pointed out the ministry has every right to confiscate unauthorized donations, including those collected in mosques or Husainiyas. She stressed it is the obligation of the ministry to monitor donations and charity works to ensure these activities are legal.

In addition, Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development Hanaa Al-Hajri denied the allegation of the lawmaker that the ministry’s inspectors stormed Husainiyas to confiscate donation boxes. She explained the inspectors always ask for permission before entering and inspecting Husainiyas and they do so in the presence of officers from the Ministry of Interior.

Commenting on the same issue, MP Khaled Al-Shatti argued that putting pressure on Husainiyas for receiving financial support from the public is unjustified. He said these are places where the followers of this faith gather to perform their religious obligations, “so why does the government interfere in our rituals?”

Meanwhile, member of the parliamentary Committee for Improvement of Work Environment MP Rakaan Al-Nusuf stressed the need to amend economic and financial related laws as such a step is vital for developing and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He affirmed the committee has been working non-stop to achieve this objective and it is now regarded as the temporary parliamentary committee with the highest number of recorded meetings. He said the committee is keen on improving legislation to create a nurturing legislative environment. He added the formation of this committee is a first in the history of Kuwait’s Parliament and its success lies in the development of existing laws, particularly those affecting the growth of SMEs.

Furthermore, MP Mohammed Al- Hadiya called on the government to improve financial and economic laws in order to develop the working environment and attract foreign investments. He said there have been notable efforts and initiatives taken by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which should continue toeing this path to achieve development goals.

MP Saleh Ashour commended Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Roudan for amending laws to better serve the country. He advised the minister to quickly issue the corresponding executive regulations as success can only be achieved by enacting these laws. He pointed out some laws have yet to be implemented due to the absence of executive regulations, protocols and manpower.

By Ahmed Al-Naqeeb Arab Times Staff

This news has been read 17263 times!