Parliament passes Zakat bill

The bill introduced to Parliament concerning oversight of the paying, accepting and distribution of Zakat via an established legal framework has been passed.

The bill introduced by Vilufushi constituency MP Hassan Waheed was passed with 63 members voting in favor of it.

As per the bill, Zakat must be paid by a person residing in Maldives whether their goods are in-country or not, and by citizens who reside outside of Maldives if their property is stored in-country.

The President has to create a Zakat Council within two months of the Act coming into effect after recommendations regarding the operation of the Zakat system are given to the minister and the Zakat House so that they can coordinate the operation of the system.

The council is to have an employee from a senior position at the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) decided by them, a minister and a Director General.

The council is to also have an employee from the National Center for the Holy Quran, a senior employee from the Ministry of Finance and Planning, an employee from the Supreme Council for Fatwa, an employee from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and two Zakat experts who do not hold government positions appointed by the President.

The bill also states that a Sharia Advisory Committee has to be created as well. The work surrounding the committee is under the Zakat House as per the bill, along with Zakat Fund operations and how it can be funded being described as well.

The bill also states that if Zakat funds are given to those who are not eligible to receive Zakat or if Zakat funds are used to invest in something that is not permitted, a fine between MVR 1,000 and MVR 10,000 can be incurred.

The bill also reads that if any party acquires Zakat by submitting invalid or false information, those who commit said crime can be penalized for the same amount they were given in Zakat, with their names being stricken from the Zakat registry for a period decided by the Zakat House.