Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir has stated individuals can now make online Zakat Al-Fitr payments to specific islands.
In a press conference, Minister Zahir said changes have been made this year to allow individuals to easily make Zakat Al-Fitr payments and that the payment can be made in goods, food, or cash. The minister said an atoll resident in Male’ City can now choose to make the Zakat Al-Fitr payment to his or her native island as part of the changes.
Ministry of Islamic Affairs revealed over 9,041 individuals are registered as poor in the Maldives and eligible to receive Zakat Al-Fitr. They include 1,796 residents in the Greater Male’ Region and 7,245 residents in the atolls. The ministry also stated 42 islands have no residents registered as poor this year, which is a slight decrease compared to 45 islands with no residents registered as poor last year.
The Islamic ministry stated Zakat Al-Fitr payments will be collected from the second day of the month of Ramadan. Online payments will be accepted through Ooredoo, Dhiraagu, Bank of Maldives (BML), Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB), and the Fahi Pay application. Payments can also be made in cash at the Islamic ministry or at the respective local councils in the atolls.
Zakat is an annual payment under Islamic law on certain kinds of property and is used for charitable and religious purposes.