Decree Issued Amending the Law Establishing 'Bayt Al-Zakat'
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Kuwait amends the Bayt Al-Zakat law to form a board of directors chaired by the Minister of Endowments
Translated by Qiyas from الأنباء — Original source
Decree-Law No. 123 of 2026, amending Article (3) of Law No. (5) of 1982 concerning the establishment of the Zakat House, was issued in the Official Gazette “Kuwait Today.” Its provisions are as follows:
Article One: The text of Article (3) of the aforementioned Law No. (5) of 1982 is replaced with the following:
“The Zakat House shall be managed by a Board of Directors chaired by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, and comprising the following members:
1. The Director General of the Zakat House, as Vice-Chairman.
2. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
3. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood.
4. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance.
5. The Secretary General of the General Secretariat of Endowments.
6. The Director General of the Public Authority for Court Affairs.
A meeting of the Board shall be valid if a majority of its members are present, including the Chairman or his Vice-Chairman. Decisions shall be adopted by a majority of the members; in the event of a tie, the vote of the member presiding over the meeting shall prevail.”
Article Two: The Ministers, each within their respective competence, shall implement this Decree-Law, which shall enter into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
The explanatory memorandum for Decree-Law No. 123 of 2026 amending Article (3) of Law No. (5) of 1982 concerning the establishment of the Zakat House states the following:
The Zakat House was established by Law No. 5 of 1982 as a public authority with an independent budget and legal personality, subject to the supervision of the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. Some of its provisions were amended by Law No. 38 of 2014 and Decree-Law No. 151 of 2025.
In light of the Emiri Order issued on 2 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1445 AH, corresponding to 10 May 2024, which stipulated in its Article (4) that laws shall be issued by decree-laws, it was deemed appropriate to prepare the attached draft Decree-Law consisting of two articles. The first article replaces the text of Article (3) of the aforementioned law, so that its text reads:
“The Zakat House shall be managed by a Board of Directors chaired by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, and comprising the following members:
1. The Director General of the Zakat House, as Vice-Chairman.
2. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
3. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood.
4. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance.
5. The Secretary General of the General Secretariat of Endowments.
6. The Director General of the Public Authority for Court Affairs.
A meeting of the Board shall be valid if a majority of its members are present, including the Chairman or his Vice-Chairman. Decisions shall be adopted by a majority of the members; in the event of a tie, the vote of the member presiding over the meeting shall prevail.”
Finally, Article Two of the attached draft Decree-Law obligates the Ministers, each within their respective competence, to implement this law and to apply it from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
