Maldives Zakat House to Launch Public Donation Collection System

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has announced that the Maldives Zakat House will introduce a new mechanism to facilitate the collection of charitable donations from the public. 

This initiative aims to encourage acts of giving and generosity. The contributions, which will include sadaqat, khairath, and waqf, are intended for various charitable purposes. Discussions have taken place with the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) to establish the collection system. These deliberations involved Minister Shaheem, senior officials from the Zakat House, and Commissioner General of Taxation Hassan Zareer.

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The primary objective of this mechanism is to promote charity and increase public contributions to support societal development. Minister Shaheem highlighted the need for additional resources and equipment in mosques and Quran classes, particularly in the outer islands. He noted that the Maldives Zakat House is being developed following the model of the Kuwaiti Zakat House.

Minister Shaheem also acknowledged President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s support for the initiative and praised the current administration’s efforts in enhancing the zakat system. He stated that significant progress has been made in comparison to previous administrations.

The Zakat House was established on 18 December 2023 with the mandate to collect and distribute zakat, including Zakat Al-Mal (Wealth) and Zakat Al-Fitr (Fast-Breaking). It aims to alleviate poverty by providing financial support for debt relief and medical assistance. Additionally, the institution seeks to raise public awareness about the importance of zakat and invests in Shariah-compliant initiatives to maximise community benefits.