Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Islamic Affairs, has announced the Maldives Zakat House's upcoming launch of a mechanism to facilitate the collection of charitable donations from the public, encouraging acts of giving and generosity.
These public contributions, in the forms of sadaqat, khairath, and waqf, will be allocated to various charitable purposes.
Minister Shaheem disclosed that discussions have been conducted with the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) to establish this collection mechanism. The deliberations included Minister Shaheem, senior officials from the Zakat House, and Commissioner General of Taxation Hassan Zareer.
The primary goal of this new mechanism is to promote charity, said Minister Shaheem. He highlighted the importance of increasing public contributions to support societal development.
Dr Shaheem underscored the pressing need for resources and equipment in mosques and Quran classes in the outer islands. The Maldives Zakat House is being developed in line with the successful model of the Kuwaiti Zakat House, he added.
Minister Shaheem also commended President Dr Mohamed Muizzu for his exemplary attention and priority given to this initiative. He acknowledged the significant progress made by the current administration in enhancing the zakat system in the Maldives compared to previous administrations.
Established on 18 December 2023, the Zakat House is tasked with the collection and distribution of zakat, including Zakat Al-Mal (Wealth) and Zakat Al-Fitr (Fast-Breaking). The institution aims to alleviate poverty by providing financial support to those in need, such as debt relief and medical assistance. Additionally, the Zakat House raises public awareness about the importance of zakat and invests in Shariah-approved areas to maximise community benefits.