Intention was to share the truth, not personal info: Shaheem

Regarding the issue of having disclosed the details of savings in an individual's bank account, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has responded that his intention had been to share the truth behind the events, and not to release an individual's personal information. 

"If I happened to reveal personal information, then I apologize for that," Shaheem said. 

In a post on X, Shaheem stated that it was never his intention to reveal private information of any person. He said that he had aimed to share the facts of the matter as the claims that the individual had made regarding the zakat issue was misleading. 

The purpose was to reassure the public that the millions of rufiya that thousands of citizens entrust to the Zakat Fund is utilized justly, fairly, and in line with Islamic shariah, the Minister said. 

Further, he said that he wished to assure that only those who meet the criteria are included in the poverty registry, and that the staff responsible for managing the Zakat system does so with the utmost integrity and honesty. Documents submitted by an individual are reviewed, and if they do not meet the criteria, they are not listed in the poverty registry, Shaheem asserted. 

"I greatly respect her sentiments," Shaheem said.

"If my remarks were misinterpreted, or if I happened to reveal any personal information about them, I strongly apologize. Maldives Zakat Fund will never do wrong by any Maldivian," he said. 

Yesterday, Shaheem responded to claims made by the woman, where she alleged that the Islamic Ministry denied her Zakat funds, despite her being a single mother caring for five children, one of whom is ill, because of the money circulating in her bank account.

In his response, Shaheem disclosed on social media the amount of funds in her bank account. 

The complaint regarding the denial of Zakat assistance was raised by a woman named Aishath during a meeting held on Sunday night between President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the residents of Vilimale'. Minister Shaheem was also present at the meeting.

During the open forum, Aishath stated that she has been caring for five children under very difficult circumstances and only recently secured a job six months ago. She revealed extensive details about her family's poor financial situation.

In a post on Facebook yesterday, along with a video clip of her speaking, Minister Shaheem stated that the Zakat House had provided her with MVR 15,500 last September after she requested aid. The Minister added in his post that she does not qualify for the poverty register because, as a recipient of the single-mother allowance and a working individual, her combined monthly income totals MVR 22,000.

"Furthermore, a small portion of the information provided by the Maldives Zakat House, based on the investigation into this individual's case, indicates that she has MVR 75,000 in her bank account," Shaheem wrote in the post.

However, the Minister did not disclose the method used to obtain the amount of money held in the individual's personal bank account.