New EGP 20,000 Fine for Returning a Sponsored Child to State Care
The new policy aims to deter premature child returns and reinforce accountability in Egypt's foster care system.
Apr 14, 2025
The Ministry of Social Solidarity has introduced a new policy imposing a fine of EGP 20,000 on families who return a sponsored child to a state-run care home. The measure, overseen by the Supreme Committee for Sponsored Alternative Families, is intended to reinforce the seriousness of foster care commitments, and deter casual or impulsive reversals.
According to Alaa Abdul-Ati, Director General of the Directorate of Family and Institutional Welfare at the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the policy reflects a broader drive to create long-term stability for vulnerable children. While the ministry acknowledges that some returns may be unavoidable due to unforeseen family circumstances, the fine aims to reduce cases where children are returned for non-critical reasons.
The Egyptian sponsorship system allows families to foster children who cannot be formally adopted due to Islamic legal restrictions. Unlike adoption, sponsorship preserves the child's original lineage while placing them in a home environment. The new fine serves to emphasise that sponsorship is a serious legal and ethical commitment, not a temporary arrangement.
Abdul-Ati added that the ministry closely monitors care homes and sponsored family placements to protect children from exploitation or neglect. Facilities and foster families are expected to follow the guidelines of Egypt's Child Law and Ministerial Decree No. 188 of 2014, which include strict standards on health, education, and psychosocial care.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Egypt Today
9 hours ago
- Egypt Today
Unveiling Ancient Rituals and Forgotten Coffins at Karnak's Southern Chapels
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, inspected the restoration and rehabilitation project of the Southern Chapels at the Akh-Menou Temple complex in Karnak, Luxor. The project, carried out in collaboration with the French-Egyptian Center for Karnak Temples Studies, has brought remarkable results. The restoration revealed a series of significant inscriptions, including vivid depictions of rituals performed by King Thutmose III in devotion to the god Amun. The walls of the main passage were adorned with scenes from the king's Heb Sed (jubilee festival), along with a long foundation inscription describing the temple as a 'Temple for Millions of Years,' dedicated to Amun-Ra and the gods of Karnak. Dr. Khaled also announced that the team had unearthed a group of small wooden coffins believed to belong to children. Though most were in poor condition and lacked inscriptions, they offer a rare glimpse into ancient burial practices. Experts in human osteology and wooden coffin conservation will soon be brought in to study the remains and determine their age, sex, cause of death, and historical context.
CairoScene
a day ago
- CairoScene
This Calm Mosque in Oman Sets a New Standard for Spiritual Minimalism
Masjid Bab Al Salam seamlessly blends Omani tradition with monumental architecture to create an unparalleled experience. In looking to celebrate Omani architecture and instill a spiritual experience, Muscat-based design office Altqadum embarked on a journey that transcends conventional boundaries when it designed Masjid Bab Al Salam, an ethereal, minimal and monumental space that seamlessly integrates tradition and innovation. 'The inception of our concept centred around the spiritual realm, woven intricately with Omani heritage,' Marwan Al Balushi, Lead Architect at Altqadum, tells SceneHome of the design that echoes the simplicity of historical mosques yet resonates with contemporary functionality. 'The challenge was immense, particularly in crafting a monument that speaks to both the present and future generations.' Driven by the desire to infuse life into the surroundings, Altaqadum created a public space that breathes vitality into the area. 'Delving into the roots of Omani architecture, we discovered the elegance in simplicity, drawing inspiration from the construction of traditional mosques,' Al Balushi adds. Innovative construction techniques and meticulous material choices played a pivotal role in realising the studio's vision. Using the Cobiax slab system, the men's hall ceiling slab minimised concrete use and reduced the overall weight; the concrete makes up less than 40% of the slab's formation. The minaret's construction, on the other hand, employed a specialised shuttering system carefully orchestrated in stages to achieve a distinctive form. 'Departing from the ordinary, we scrutinised the user's journey and redefined the mosque's main functions both architecturally and experientially,' Al Balushi continues. Attempting to push boundaries, the design faced many hurdles from the start, including the approval process with local authorities. 'Deeply connected to the community, our design raised questions about form, size and colour,' he recalls. 'Clear communication and unwavering determination were key to ensuring that the concept resonated authentically without misinterpretation.' Hovering over the men's hall, a masterpiece chandelier featuring 1,600 crystal glass balls pays homage to Islamic architecture as it echoes the familiar dome sensation. Meanwhile, in the men's ablution space, a landscape island ingeniously directs splashed water for reuse in irrigation, marrying functionality with sustainability. 'Omani marble ablution seats, crafted by local artisans infuse a natural feel and durability into the open space,' Al Balushi explains. 'In essence, our Omani mosque stands as a testament to the fusion of tradition and innovation, seamlessly blending spirituality, sustainability and monumentality into a harmonious architectural symphony.' From the men's and women's halls and ablution spaces, and the open public space, Bab Al Salam redefines the mosque landscape by breaking free from the confinement of boundary walls. The design encourages public engagement, fostering interaction between users, neighbours and the lush landscape. Photography Credit Firas Al Raisi
Egypt Independent
3 days ago
- Egypt Independent
Integrated ancient city uncovered in Karnak, dating back to 2000 BC
A joint Egyptian-French mission has uncovered the oldest city and settlement dating back to the Middle Kingdom in the archaeological area of the Karnak Temple. This discovery was made during excavation work in the temple area. The excavations revealed a complete city in the far southeastern corner of the temple, dating back to the period 2050-1710 BC. This is the second discovery this year in the same area. Archaeological sources at the Karnak Temple confirmed that the discovered city lies between the ancient mud-brick wall built by King Thutmose III of the 18th Dynasty (New Kingdom), and the massive wall surrounding the Karnak temple complex, which dates back to the reign of King Nectanebo I of the 30th Dynasty. Restoration work On the sidelines of his visit to Luxor, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mohamed Ismail Khaled inspected the restoration and rehabilitation project of the 'southern chapels' of the Temple of Akhmenu in the Karnak Temple complex. Khaled said that the restoration work on the Akhmenu complex included cleaning, structural and meticulous restoration, as well as complete documentation of the inscriptions and religious scenes. During his stay in Luxor Governorate, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities also inspected the work being carried out by several Egyptian missions affiliated with the Supreme Council of Antiquities at several archaeological sites. These included the Egyptian mission's excavation site in al-Asasif area in Qurna, and the excavation site of the Egyptian archaeological mission in Nagaa Abu-Asaba area in Karnak. He explained that the mission was able to uncover a group of small wooden children's coffins in the al-Asasif area, most of which were in a very poor state of preservation. All coffins were devoid of inscriptions or writing.
