Jurisdiction Government of Oman Website Official website | Headquarters Muscat | |
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Agency executive Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Salimi, Minister | ||
The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MARA) is the governmental body in the Sultanate of Oman responsible for overseeing all matters related to awqaf and religious affairs.
Contents
The current Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs is Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Salmi, he was appointed as minister in the year 1997.
History
The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs was originally established as the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. The original ministry was merged with the Ministry of Justice to established the Ministry of Justice, Awqaf and Religious Affairs in 1982, until they split up again in the year 1997 creating the ministry in its current name replacing the term "Islamic" with "Religious".
Function
The competences of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs are as follows:
- Undertaking the affairs of awqaf and settings strategies and projects to reserve them and develop their resources.
- Preserving the properties of Bayt al-mal.
- Setting strategies for managing zakat (charity).
- Establishing mosques and following all affairs related to them.
- Supervising religious advisory and guidance and preparing nationals to specialise in related fields.
- Developing Quran education.
- Carrying out religious studies and research.
- Coordinating with the concerned authorities the regulation of religious publications and works.
- Supporting and helping pilgrims in their performance of hajj.
- Exchange information and expertise with Arabic and Islamic religious organizations in the field of awqaf and religious affairs.
- Representing the Sultanate in conferences, symposiums and meeting related to awqaf and religious affairs.