Social Affairs and zakat funds, have mercy on those in prison

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IT is commendable that the Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs Sheikh Firas Al-Malik launched a campaign to settle the debts of those in debt, as this aligns closely with the core mission of his ministry.

However, this “campaign” should not be limited to the month of Ramadan but should also continue until this file is closed.

Those in debt suffer from many problems. There are some who were thrown in prison due to their inability to settle their debts, especially women who were subjected to unbearable physical coercion. There are some others whose services in all ministries have been suspended due to their insolvency. Some have become wanted by ruling enforcement agencies.

Individuals profiting from the continuation of physical coercion, often in collusion with money lenders and deceitful MPs, have attempted to obstruct the resolution of this dilemma. Corrupt interventions have prevented the amendment of laws for ensuring that beneficiaries retain their leverage over debtors.

While most countries worldwide have abolished laws permitting physical coercion, travel bans, and other measures restricting debtors’ freedom, citing human rights violations, Kuwait continues to incarcerate indebted individuals. This practice not only burdens the state but also exacerbates social issues, depriving these individuals of the opportunity to work and support their families.

In previous articles about zakat funds, which have a substantial amount of money, we highlighted their misuse and inappropriate allocation. Despite ongoing talk about “localizing charitable efforts” in the country, it appears to be more of a slogan used for local and political purposes rather than actual implementation.

Therefore, if the intention is serious about resolving this problem, these funds must be used to get rid of this nightmare that is troubling about 120,000 citizens who have fallen under the temptations of those with bad intentions in loans.

They deliberately push the needy to sign dud cheques or trust receipts, and then they will use them against those individuals in the courts.

It is true that the “Your campaign is a joy for them” drive relieves the distress of the needy. Even though it is appreciated by the Minister of Social Affairs, it requires a lot from the government and the relevant ministries in terms of changing the legal approach, releasing the debtors, and only using the electronic bracelet. This is especially for women who were victims of their husbands’ fraud, and are now in prison because of that, or ensuring zakat funds, which have billions, are used to pay these fines on behalf of insolvent people, as all countries worldwide do, especially the Gulf, which closed this file a long time ago.

Furthermore, there is a need to amend the law regarding creditors who lend without conducting proper due diligence. It should not fall upon the victim to ensure this diligence. Lenders should not exploit debt for purposes that lack integrity.

In this regard, if the Constitution makes Islam the religion of the state, and the Islamic law a main source of legislation, then it is important to draw inspiration from that legal rule, which is that the person who does not conduct due diligence before lending should be held responsible.

Also, the debtor has the right to the zakat money, unless the intention is to maintain this problem to serve usurers and money lenders. If so, then these campaigns will be nothing but slogans. This is the greatest calamity.

Finally, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the zakat funds, and those in charge of the donation campaigns must bargain with the beneficiaries of the dud cheque to reduce their value, especially since they deliberately put the signatories in prison, and did not fear Allah in their procedures.

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah

Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times

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