The Maldivian Zakat Fund has received MVR 98 million this year, marking the highest recorded income into the fund, said Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed today.
The ministry aims to increase the fund to at least MVR 100 million, he said, adding that the government would provide extensive assistance to the beneficiaries of Zakat based on the provisions of Shari'ah.
“This is the good result of the establishment of a special Zakat Agency by President Dr. Muizzu's government,” the minister said. At the opening ceremony of this year's International Zakat Conference last month, Shaheem said the previous amount received as Zakat was only MVR14 million.
However, the figure has started to increase as a result of public awareness, he said. Until recently, Zakat matters were handled by a separate department of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. A separate agency was created on December 18, 2023.
The fund also provides assistance for medical treatment and higher education. Many Thalassemia patients have also been sent abroad for bone marrow transplants under the fund's assistance
The Islamic Ministry has sent USD100,000 in aid to the people of Gaza from the Zakat Fund as well.
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