The Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has expressed his vision to consolidate all funds under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs into a single, unified fund. The Minister made the statement while speaking at a ceremony held to launch the opportunity to make charitable contributions through the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).
In his address, Minister Shaheem said Maldivians have always been eager to spend on charity, noting their long-standing commitment to supporting Muslim communities in need across the world. However, he stressed the importance of allocating resources to address pressing issues within the Maldives as well, such as the establishment of Quran classes and centres and mosques, and the construction and maintenance of mosques.
The Minister stated that existing funds should be merged to create a centralised fund which has the capacity to be further expanded. Such a fund must be able to produce the resources necessary to create financial capability for religious development. The opening of the current opportunity via MIRA is a significant step towards achieving this goal, he stated.
Speaking at the ceremony, MIRA’s Commissioner General of Taxation Hassan Zareer highlighted that the tax agency already accepts Zakat payments under its systems to assist the Islamic Ministry. The introduction of charitable donations via Vaaru pay allows individuals to contribute towards the construction and renovation of mosques and Islamic centres, he noted.