Shamheed: MIRA should handle Zakat, not new agency

Hulhumale' South MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed asserts that processing Zakat through the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) is the most efficient approach.

On Wednesday, Parliament passed a bill to legally mandate Zakat payments, leading to the establishment of the 'Maldives Zakat House'—a new government agency dedicated to Zakat collection, recipient oversight, and payment facilitation. This agency, overseen by a director general under ministerial guidance, aims to streamline Zakat administration.

However, Dr. Shamheed, in an X post, argued that the practice in Islamic nations like Saudi Arabia involves national tax offices handling both tax and Zakat funds. He emphasized MIRA's existing operational capacity as a state body already accepting Zakat.

ސަޢޫދީ ޢަރަބިއްޔާ ފަދަ އިސްލާމީ ޤައުމުތަކުގައި ޢަމަލުކުރާ އުސޫލަކީ ޓެކުސްއާއި ޒަކާތުގެ ފައިސާބަލައި ގަންނަނީ ޓެކުސް އޮތޯރިޓީ ކަމަށްވީހިދު، މިހާރުވެސް ދައުލަތުގެ މުއައްސަސާއެއްގެ ގޮތުގައި މީރާ ހިނގަމުންދާއިރު، އަދި މިހާރުވެސް ޒަކާތުގެ ފައިސާ ބަލައިގަންނަމުންދަނީ އެ އިދާރާއިން… https://t.co/HhzFw7XYZV

— Ahmed Shamheed (@Ashamhyd) August 13, 2025

"Since MIRA is still functioning as a state entity and is currently accepting Zakat, establishing another organization for Zakat collection needs much consideration," Shamheed stated. He further warned that allocating a substantial portion of Zakat funds to a new Zakat House would lead to a wasteful expenditure of state resources.

"It is important to think deeply about this and strengthen the Zakat system in the most cost-effective and efficient manner," Shamheed urged.

In response, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, countered Shamheed's views. Shaheem highlighted that Zakat and taxes are distinct entities, prompting Islamic countries to establish separate Zakat institutions. He noted that in the Maldives, the current commingling of Zakat and tax funds creates difficulties in distributing Zakat to its rightful recipients.

Zakat Fund aki mihaaru ves dhaulathah emme faseyha kohdhey fund. Rayyithunah hiley saabahah emme bodu ehee vaa dhaulathuge Fund. Dhaulathun bura ufulaakah nujeheyne. Zakat (Aamil) ge thereyga Zakat office ves himeney OIC ge Fiqhee Qaraar ga vaa gothun. https://t.co/0U6f1T2ySJ

— Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (@Mohamedshaheem1) August 13, 2025

The new bill's primary objective is to create a robust framework for Zakat payment, receipt, and distribution in the Maldives, ensuring adherence to Islamic Shariah principles. It outlines the types of Zakat to be accepted, the acceptance methods, and details regarding Fitr Zakat, property Zakat, and beneficiary identification.

Crucially, the bill mandates the formation of a 'Zakat Council' within two months of its enactment. This council will comprise the Islamic Minister, a Director General, and representatives from the MMA, the National Center for the Holy Quran, the Finance Ministry, the Fatwa Council, and the Islamic Ministry.