Distribution of funds collected as Zakat al-Maal (Zakat on property) will begin on September 13, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs says.
Dr. Ahmed Ziyad, Minister of Islamic Affairs, said the ministry is now working on revising the list of people registered as poor.
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is an obligatory act ordained by Almighty Allah to be performed by every adult and able bodied Muslim. It is levied on specific assets only, identified by Islamic Law as assets having the potential for growth. It is a part of the wealth and property that Muslims must pay annually, to help the poor of their community.
Any man or woman who meets the minimum requirements of wealth must pay their share of Zakat on property.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs recently changed the value of Nisab, the minimum amount of wealth that must be owned by a person before he or she is obligated for Zakat on property. The amount is now set at MVR4,212.60.