Most Zakat funds seen in last two years: Shaheem

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed announced that the last two years has seen them receive more than MVR 100 million in Zakat and that timeframe is the most they have received in Zakat.

Minister Shaheem gave an interview to PSM regarding the ratification of the Zakat Bill yesterday with the Act to come into effect on 1st January 2026, stating that creating an act for Zakat and legalizing it is a great joy to Maldivians.

The minister said that the last two years have been remarkable for the history of Zakat in Maldives.

"The last two years have seen the most amount of Zakat. We saw more than MVR 100 million in contributions last year, which is a great development. It marks public trust in this system and it is due to the work regarding awareness after the establishment of the Zakat House," said Shaheem.

Minister Shaheem said that the Zakat Fund has seen and continues to see major aid from citizens. 

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.