Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain's Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Gulf Air Board of Directors Chairman, Zayed bin Rashid Al-Zayani, announced the launch of the Gulf Air donation program, which allows travelers to donate various paper and coin currencies to the Royal Charity Foundation. Photos have been circulated between Bahraini citizens showing that the fundraising has actually begun.

Minister Al-Zayani signed the program agreement by Gulf Air with the Secretary General of the Royal Charity Foundation Mustafa Al-Sayed.

Nasser bin Hamad, the Bahrain King's son, who is accused of practicing torture against political prisoners in 2011, heads this foundation, which is not subject to any kind of supervision, and is not a branch of any government ministry.

This comes in light of the government's imposition of strict restrictions on fundraising, especially by charities. According to information, about 80% of local charity foundations are not allowed to raise funds despite repeated promises by the Minister of Labor and Social Development Jameel Humaidan to facilitate the issuance of the required permits.

Arabic Version