Politics
Toxic donations!
The regulatory authorities have put random fundraisers under scrutiny to detect their violations and refer those involved to the competent authorities
The regulatory authorities have put random fundraisers under scrutiny to detect their violations and refer those involved to the competent authorities, in order to achieve integrated control over the collection and disbursement of donations, prevent violating parties from continuing their activity, and prevent the exploitation of non-profit organizations to achieve personal interests or divert them towards extremist groups or violating banks and institutions.
The National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector recently announced that it referred 11 influencers to the competent authorities during last June to take the necessary legal measures against them, after they announced donations to charitable associations without clarifying that what was being presented was paid or unpaid advertising or promotional material, in accordance with the terms and conditions for licensing individuals to present advertising content via social media platforms.
The center also issued a warning to a non-profit organization, a decision to dismiss the board of directors of another non-profit organization, two decisions to reconstitute temporary boards of directors, and the cancellation of a non-profit organization's license. Additionally, it issued two fines for fundraising violations against non-profit organizations. The center emphasized the importance of individuals and non-profit organizations adhering to the regulations, bylaws, guidelines, and procedures governing the non-profit sector. It urged everyone to contact the center through its customer care channels, including the unified call center (19918), its website (ncnp.gov.sa), and its social media accounts. The center stressed the necessity of collaboration between itself and individuals and non-profit organizations to contribute to the development of the non-profit sector and maximize its social and economic impact in order to achieve the desired national goals.
The Ministry of Interior emphasizes and confirms
The Ministry of Interior emphasized that collecting donations without a license from the competent authorities is a violation of the Kingdom's regulations, including the Anti-Terrorism and its Financing Law, and subjects those who engage in or respond to such activities to legal accountability. The Ministry urged all citizens and residents to exercise caution and avoid responding to calls for donations that violate the law, and to direct their financial contributions directly to the designated organizations providing aid to those in need, namely the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.
She emphasized that anyone who calls for or collects donations without a license will be apprehended and subjected to the regulations in force in the Kingdom, and their declared bank accounts for collecting funds will be frozen. Non-Saudis who violate the regulations by collecting donations will be deported after the legally prescribed penalties are applied to them.
Legally speaking: Good intentions do not absolve one of responsibility
Lawyer Rami Al-Sharif emphasized that claiming ignorance, lack of knowledge, or good intentions when collecting donations does not absolve one of responsibility and legal consequences. He explained that regulations strictly prohibit fundraising except through licensed platforms, via legal means, and with specific permits. He urged donors to verify the legitimacy of these entities and methods, otherwise they will be subject to penalties related to fundraising violations, as they will be considered supporters of illegal activity.
Al-Sharif explained that collecting donations without a license in the Kingdom is a violation of the applicable regulations, and exposes those who carry out this work or respond to it to legal accountability, indicating that the announced penalties for collecting donations without a license include a financial fine of 4,500 riyals, and the confiscation of the illegally collected amounts.
He indicated that legal procedures permit the arrest of anyone soliciting or collecting donations without a license and subjecting them to the applicable regulations in the Kingdom. This includes placing a precautionary freeze on their bank accounts used to collect funds, pending their referral to the relevant authorities. He added that foreigners who commit the violation of collecting donations without a license will be deported after the legally prescribed penalties are applied. Al-Sharif emphasized that legal methods of collecting donations are conducted only after obtaining a license from the relevant authorities. Donations are then received through banking services such as bank transfers, checks, and the use of approved bank accounts for collecting donations. Electronic payments via smart devices, text messages, and electronic point-of-sale terminals are also legal methods for collecting donations. Transfers or deposits into personal or unofficial accounts are not permitted.
Identifying the beneficiary of the donation
Lawyer Rami Al-Sharif explained that Article 14 of the Executive Instructions for the Regulations for Collecting Fundraising for Charitable Purposes stipulates that the call for collecting donations must be through local media, local telecommunications companies, billboards and service bills, publications prepared by the licensed entity in accordance with its system or regulations, the establishment’s social media, in addition to the establishment’s website, the establishment’s online store licensed to collect donations, or any other means chosen and approved by the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector.
Al-Sharif revealed that Article 15 disclosed the requirement for the announcement to include the name of the donated establishment, the establishment’s registration number, license number, the approved bank account number of the licensee for the donation, an electronic link that clarifies the donation project’s work plan, the target donation amount, the address of the establishment’s headquarters or branches, the establishment’s means of communication (phones, website, email), information about the purpose for which donations are to be collected, and the beneficiary category, as well as specifying the donation period (time-bound, or open until the project’s value is completed).
26 violations in fundraising
The National Center for Development of the Non-Profit Sector approved 26 violations of fundraising, with penalties ranging between 2,500 and 5,000 riyals. Penalties vary for activities such as collecting donations without a license, receiving donations without a permit, and receiving donations from outside the Kingdom without approval. Penalties also include spending donations for unspecified purposes and sending donations outside the Kingdom without approval, with fines ranging between 4,500 and 5,000 riyals.
The center specified penalties ranging between 2,500 and 5,000 riyals for engaging in fundraising activities during the period of license withdrawal.
The fines also include failure to comply with any of the conditions of the fundraising license after obtaining it, advertising fundraising through an intermediary without approval, calling for fundraising by unauthorized means, receiving in-kind donations outside the headquarters, transferring donation amounts to unapproved projects, collecting cash donations outside the headquarters, failing to collect donor data, failing to obtain the donor’s approval for the donation redirection policy, and failing to allocate an account for zakat and deposit it into it.
The center specified a penalty ranging between 2,500 and 5,000 riyals in several cases, including failure to submit a fundraising report within the legal period, failure to submit a fundraising expenditure report within the legal period, and failure to submit a detailed semi-annual financial report to the non-profit sector center.
The penalties also include failure to include in the fundraising announcement one of the data that must be provided, failure to record the donation in sequential receipts, failure to explain the project's work plan to the donor and inform him of it, violation of the fundraising methods approved in the license, practicing fundraising activity with an invalid license, in addition to practicing fundraising activity in ways not specified in the license, and practicing fundraising activity for purposes not specified in the license.
Politics
Trump threatens to wipe Iran off the map, and Tehran vows revenge for Khamenei
The war of words between Washington and Tehran has escalated. Trump vows to obliterate Iran in response to threats against his life, while Iran warns against harming Khamenei following the assassination of Soleimani.
The war of words between Washington and Tehran has reignited, with former US President Donald Trump issuing a fierce threat, vowing to "obliterate Iran from the face of the earth" should he be assassinated. This statement has only added fuel to the already simmering tensions and has drawn an equally sharp response from Iran, reflecting the deep-seated animosity between the two countries.
Background to the tension: A legacy of hostility
These mutual threats cannot be understood in isolation from their historical context, particularly during the Trump presidency. In 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) and reimposed crippling economic sanctions under a policy dubbed “maximum pressure.” This policy led to a sharp decline in the Iranian economy and exacerbated tensions between the two sides.
Tensions reached a peak in January 2020 with the US assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in an airstrike in Baghdad. Since then, Iran has repeatedly vowed revenge for Soleimani’s killing, considering Trump and other US officials legitimate targets, which explains Trump’s sensitivity to any potential threats to his life.
Details of the latest threats
In a recent interview with News Nation, Trump, when asked about Iranian threats, said, “I gave very strong instructions, and if anything happens, they will be wiped off the face of the earth.” This statement is a continuation of Trump’s approach, in which he has previously used extreme rhetoric, emphasizing that the United States will not hesitate to respond to any attack on its leadership.
In response, Iran issued a swift rebuttal through the spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, who asserted that “Trump is well aware of the seriousness of Tehran’s position.” State media quoted him as saying, “If the hand of aggression reaches out to our leader (Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei), we will not only cut off that hand, but we will set their world ablaze and leave them no safe haven in the region.”.
Internal and regional dimensions
These threats coincide with significant internal challenges facing the Iranian regime, as the country has witnessed widespread protests fueled by deteriorating living conditions and social restrictions. In such circumstances, the regime often resorts to escalating its rhetoric abroad to garner domestic support and divert attention from its problems. Authorities have responded to these protests with brutal repression, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests, according to international human rights organizations.
Regionally and internationally, this war of words exacerbates instability in the Middle East and casts a shadow over any future diplomatic efforts, particularly regarding the stalled nuclear negotiations. It also puts US allies in the region on high alert, fearing that any spark could ignite a wider military confrontation with potentially disastrous consequences for all.
Politics
The Syrian army is advancing, and the SDF has been given a deadline to integrate with US support
Syrian forces are advancing in the northeast of the country as the SDF withdraws, amid US support for the Shara government and a four-day deadline to integrate Kurdish forces into Syrian state institutions.
A strategic shift in the Syrian landscape
The Syrian arena is witnessing rapid developments that are reshaping the map of control and influence, as Syrian government forces, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, continue their advance in the northeast of the country. This progress comes amidst the withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from strategic locations, most notably the al-Hol camp, within a new political framework supported by the United States and aimed at reunifying the country under a central authority.
Background of the conflict and context of developments
To understand the dimensions of what is happening today, it is necessary to go back to the years of the Syrian war, when the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whose backbone is the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), emerged as a key ally of the US-led international coalition in the war against the ISIS terrorist organization. The SDF succeeded in controlling large areas of northern and eastern Syria and established self-administration in those regions. However, this situation remained a source of concern for the central government in Damascus and for neighboring countries, especially Turkey. With the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2014 and the formation of a new government, the dynamics changed radically, opening the door to negotiations to end the division.
The Syrian army advances and the four-day deadline
In a move reflecting the new balance of power, Syrian security forces deployed inside al-Hol camp in al-Hasakah province, which houses thousands of families of ISIS members, after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced their withdrawal. Escalating political pressure, the Syrian government gave the SDF a four-day ultimatum to agree to a plan for full integration into state institutions, a move urged by Washington. As a goodwill gesture, Damascus offered the SDF a candidate for the position of Deputy Minister of Defense as part of the proposed integration process.
Despite the government's advances, the SDF still controls the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli. The government has announced that it will not enter the two cities militarily during the deadline period, in order to allow for a political solution that guarantees a peaceful transfer of power.
Changing US support and its impact
The current US position represents a significant shift in Washington's policy toward Syria. Having previously been the primary military and political backer of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the US administration now appears to support President Ahmed al-Sharaa's efforts to extend state sovereignty over all Syrian territory. US Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, described the proposed integration as "the greatest opportunity for the Kurds" to secure their cultural and political rights within a unified state. This stance reflects a growing US conviction that the primary objective of supporting the SDF—the fight against ISIS—has largely been achieved, and that the priority now is stabilizing Syria and preventing a return to chaos.
Ceasefire and Integration Agreement Terms
These developments come as the culmination of a recently signed agreement between the government and the SDF, aimed at a comprehensive ceasefire and the full integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into state institutions. Among the most prominent provisions of the agreement are:
- The administrative and military handover of the governorates of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa to the Syrian government.
- Integrate all SDF military and security elements individually into the Ministries of Defense and Interior.
- The Syrian government will hand over all border crossings and oil and gas fields.
- The government assumes full responsibility for the file of ISIS prisoners and camps.
- The SDF is committed to removing non-Syrian members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) from the country.
Recognition of Kurdish rights
In parallel with the military and political pressure, the Syrian government took significant steps to reassure the Kurdish population. President al-Sharaa issued a historic decree recognizing Kurdish citizens as an integral part of the Syrian people and affirming their cultural and linguistic rights. The decree stipulated the adoption of Kurdish as a national language that could be taught, granted Syrian citizenship to all unregistered individuals, and declared Nowruz a national holiday, thus paving the way for comprehensive national reconciliation.
Politics
Saudi Arabia condemns the Kabul attack and the repercussions of targeting Chinese interests
Saudi Arabia condemns the terrorist attack on a hotel in Kabul claimed by ISIS. The attack highlights the security challenges in Afghanistan and their impact on Chinese and international interests.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strong condemnation of the terrorist attack that targeted a hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, resulting in the death and injury of a number of Afghan and Chinese citizens. In its statement, the Kingdom reiterated its categorical rejection of all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism, affirming its full support and solidarity with the brotherly Afghan people in confronting these criminal acts.
The Ministry offered its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the governments of Afghanistan and China, expressing its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured. This Saudi stance reaffirms its unwavering policy of rejecting terrorism in all its forms and motivations, and its continued call upon the international community to unite its efforts to eradicate this scourge that threatens global security and stability.
Background of the attack and its security context
The attack occurred on Monday at the Kabul Longan Hotel in the Shahr-e-Naw district, a bustling commercial area in the heart of the Afghan capital. The hotel is a popular destination for Chinese nationals and business travelers visiting the country. The Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack, which is part of a series of attacks by the group aimed at destabilizing Afghanistan and challenging the authority of the ruling Taliban.
Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, ISIS-Khorasan has emerged as the country's most significant security challenge. The group focuses its attacks on religious minorities, Taliban forces, and foreign interests, attempting to demonstrate the current government's inability to maintain security and undermine its potential international relations. This attack follows previous targeting of sensitive sites, including the Russian and Pakistani embassies in Kabul, reflecting a clear strategy by the group to disrupt any attempts at normalization or foreign investment in Afghanistan.
Importance and potential impacts
The targeting of Chinese citizens carries significant implications both domestically and internationally. On the one hand, China, which has kept its embassy open in Kabul, seeks to bolster its economic influence in Afghanistan by investing in its rich natural resources, particularly in the mining sector. This attack sends a direct message to Beijing that its investments and citizens are not immune to danger, potentially prompting it to reassess the extent of its economic involvement in the country.
Regionally, the attack underscores that Afghanistan remains a security challenge for the entire region. Saudi Arabia's condemnation in this context reaffirms the need for a coordinated regional and international approach to support stability in Afghanistan and prevent it from once again becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups. The Saudi position reflects a commitment to regional stability and underscores that combating terrorism requires comprehensive international cooperation that goes beyond security solutions to address the root causes of extremism.
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