Establishing Zakat House was a presidential pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, and Islamic Minister Shaheem said that efforts are now directed towards strengthening the Zakat House's system.
The Maldives is very diligent with handling matters related to Zakat (an Islamic obligation for all Muslims who meet a certain criteria to give alms to charity), and no minister or head of office would be able to misappropriate the funds said Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed yesterday.
Speaking at press conference organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Minister said that the Maldives Zakat system has never allowed for the possibility of misappropriating funds and emphasized that the system has been structured in a way that makes stealing the funds impossible.
"[...] and even if a minister, secretary, or director wants, it's not possible to steal from Zakat. The Zakat system is one that's much more structured and organised than that," Shaheem said.
As such, he urged business owners to fulfill their obligation of paying Zakat-al-mal (zakat on assets such as savings and wealth), emphasizing that giving Zakat is a means for wealth to be blessed by God. He further reassured the public that the Zakat House, operating under the Islamic Ministry, carries out its tasks faithfully and honestly.
"Don't pay heed to those who politically discuss matters in the media. Zakat-related affairs are conducted in a highly organized manner in the Maldives," he said.
Minister Shaheem went on to highlight that setting up a Zakat House to manage matters related to Zakat was a presidential pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, one which has now been fulfilled.
He also announced that a decision has been made to donate USD 100,000 to Palestine from the institution, which is being coordinated with the Qatari Red Crescent.
"By the end of these five years, with the Grace of God, the Zakat House in the Maldives would be one that would be internationally recognised. We are now working with Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Kuwait's Zakat House to further develop the Zakat system," he explained, elaborating that the discussions are currently focused on enhancing the regulations and human resource training.
"This is a very good step, and the Zakat House is being operated very effectively in the Maldives," he added.
Speaking further, Minister Shaheem said that with the presidential pledge now fulfilled, the next step would be to further strengthen the Zakat House.
"By the end of these five years, by the Grace of God, the Maldives Zakat House will be internationally recognized. We are currently collaborating with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Kuwait's Zakat House to further develop the Zakat system," he explained. He elaborated that the discussions are currently focused on enhancing regulations and providing human resource training.
He added that even though effort was put into prioritize Zakat, this is the first time it is being done so efficiently in the country, noting that the administrative system of running the Zakat House established by the government will be done in a transparent and modern way.
Since the establishment of the Zakat House, awareness trips have been made to Haa Alif and Haa Dhaalu atolls north of Maldives, and to Addu City in the south of Maldives.
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