MUSCAT: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, in cooperation with the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Social Development, has launched a landmark initiative to allocate residential and commercial investment lands across strategic locations in Oman’s wilayats to charity teams and Zakat committees. This decision aims to enhance the sustainability of these organisations and support their ongoing contributions to social welfare and community stability. By distributing valuable land assets to institutions deeply embedded in local communities, the government seeks to empower them to generate independent resources that can be reinvested in social development.
A total of 64 charity teams and 66 Zakat committees are set to benefit from this initiative. These organisations have long played a vital role in providing essential assistance to deserving families, offering financial aid, and ensuring basic needs are met for underprivileged groups. By granting them access to residential and commercial plots, the government is recognising their commitment and creating a foundation for long-term self-reliance. The move underscores Oman’s dedication to fostering social solidarity and rewarding grassroots institutions that uphold values of service and compassion.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning is tasked with identifying and providing the lands in key wilayat centres, ensuring that each plot is positioned to deliver maximum benefit to the organisations and the communities they serve. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Social Development will collaborate to establish regulations governing the management and investment of these lands. This joint oversight is designed to ensure that the resources are used responsibly, efficiently, and in a way that supports the intended beneficiaries over the long term.
This initiative reflects the government’s broader commitment to sustainable social development and community empowerment. By transforming land allocations into revenue-generating opportunities, the plan helps strengthen family stability, improve living standards, and reinforce social cohesion. It also highlights the humanitarian and social roles undertaken by charity teams and Zakat committees, serving as a model for practical policies that blend economic empowerment with community service and further embed the principles of solidarity and sustainable development into Oman’s social fabric.
