Zakat House has announced that over USD860,000 had been collected as Zakat al-Fitr this year, which is the highest in the country’s history.
According to Zakat House figures, Zakat al-Fitr collection last year and the year before was around USD817,000 while the figure was USD758,000 in 2022.
However, Zakat- al-Fitr collection in food staples of 10,000 kilograms this year was slightly lower than the two previous years of 13,000 kilograms and 12,000 kilograms respectively.
The government, for the first time, has distributed Zakat al-Fitr equally to all those registered on the list of needy.
In that regard, each individual on the list has been given a USD292 payout as Zakat al-Fitr.
Prior to the police change, Zakat collections from each island were distributed to the list of the needy on that particular island. Minister Dr Shaheem had noted that the poor in some islands with small populations receive very little as Fitr Zakat.
In addition, the government has decided to donate USD32,425 from this year’s Zakat al-Fitr collections to the children of Gaza.
The current Administration has launched several initiatives to increase awareness and streamline Zakat distribution and collection systems in the country. The efforts have led to an increase in Zakat contributions in the past year.
Zakat al-Fitr, obligatory for all Muslims, is intended for those in need of financial assistance after the Holy month of Ramadan. It is mandated in the second year of Hijra and applies to all members of the Muslim community, regardless of age or status. However, certain conditions must be met, including having enough funds to provide for dependents with food and basic essentials on the day and night of Eid.