The Ministry of Justice issued a decision stipulating that homes for orphans granted to them by the Ministry of Social Affairs may not be sold until five years have elapsed from the date of the grant, in the best interests of the orphans, The Minister of Justice, Dr. Walid Al-Samaani, directed that this condition be included in the deed, The Ministry’s Information Technology Department was also instructed to impose a five-year ban on the transfer of the deed in the electronic system, or for the period determined by the Ministry of Social Affairs if shorter, provided that the sales ban expires automatically upon the expiration of this period without the need to contact the Ministry of Justice to lift the ban.

This came as a result of the Ministry’s comprehensive review and update of its rules and regulations, as the procedures in effect at notary offices did not impose such a restriction, so the Minister of Justice directed that the matter be reexamined in accordance with Sharia law and in the best interests of orphans. The study concluded that it is permissible to restrict the sale of real estate granted by the Ministry of Social Affairs to orphans under this condition, as housing is a fundamental necessity that no human being can do without.