Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said the government’s proposed zakat bill, once enacted, will eradicate poverty in the Maldives and foster social prosperity through a modern, Sharia-compliant framework for collecting and distributing zakat.
The bill, sponsored by Vilufushi MP Hassan Waheed, was submitted to Parliament on Monday and accepted with a unanimous vote of 72 members on Wednesday. It has now been referred to the Social Affairs Committee for review.
According to the government, the legislation seeks to ensure the proper utilisation of the zakat fund and create a legal framework for its management. The proposed system draws on international best practices, taking examples from Malaysia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, where zakat is administered within a structured legal framework.
Under the bill, a nine-member Zakat Council will be established within two months of enactment. The council will include the Islamic Minister, a director general, and representatives from the Maldives Monetary Authority, the Centre for Holy Quran, the Finance Ministry, the Fatwa Council, the Islamic Ministry, and two zakat experts.
