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USD 323,000 spent from Zakat Fund as assistance to COVID-19 relief efforts

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali has revealed over USD 323,000 has been spent from Zakat Fund as part of the assistance provided amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, the Islamic minister shared the details of the spending from the Zakat Fund. The minister revealed USD 969,611 has been allocated as finances to overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said USD 193,922 was spent to assist Maldivians stranded in other countries and USD 64,640 was spent to provide essentials for people in temporary shelters allocated by the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services, while USD 96,961 was provided to the Ministry of Education to assist pre-school owners and Quran classes.

Moreover, the Islamic minister noted efforts are underway to allocate an amount from the Zakat Fund to tenants facing difficulties to pay rent during the current situation. Previously, Zakat Fund has also assisted patients who needed bone marrow transplants and students seeking higher education.