Zakat House, aimed at fortifying Zakat system, incepted

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Tuesday, has inaugurated Maldives Zakat House, aimed at fortifying the Maldivian Zakat system.

The inauguration ceremony was held at the Islamic Ministry this morning. The establishment of a separate entity to oversee Zakat-related matters is an electoral pledge of President Muizzu.

In this trajectory, Zakat House is mandated to fortify the Maldivian Zakat system and do all necessary to expand the Zakat Fund by investing in areas in which Shariah has approved Zakat, maximizing distributor benefits.

It is aimed to provide a mechanism for accepting and disbursing Zakat, announce the nisab for Zakat Al-Mal, or Zakat on Wealth, twice a year, and regularly update the national registry of individuals below the poverty line. 

Furthermore, Zakat House is tasked with spreading the teachings of Zakat and educating individuals, businesses, and state agencies on the rulings of Zakat.

It is also in their mandate to organize social programs that promote the elevation of Zakat receivers of today to individuals producing Zakat tomorrow.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali cited President Muizzu as the only leader who has implemented a Zakat-related pledge on their manifesto to date. Therewith, he extended gratitude to the president.

"The Zakat House has been incepted today with a very holy purpose," he added. 

Prior to this, Zakat-related matters were overseen by a special section incepted for purpose under the Islamic Ministry.