The Director General of Maldives Zakat House, Izzaddheen Adnan, has announced plans to investigate the reasons behind the decline in Zakat-al-Mal contributions, despite a consistent annual rise in Zakat-al-Fitr collections.

Speaking to local media, Izzaddheen highlighted that while last year’s overall zakat collections reached a record USD 6.5 million, contributions specifically from Zakat-al-Mal have shown a concerning downward trend.

Under Islamic principles, every eligible individual who meets the Nisab threshold is required to pay Zakat-al-Mal, which is currently set at USD 607 by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

However, Izzaddheen noted that persistent misconceptions surrounding zakat contribute to this decline. Many believe that paying zakat reduces their wealth, whereas studies from other Muslim-majority countries suggest the opposite—paying zakat often results in financial blessings and growth.

To address these misconceptions and reverse the downward trend, Zakat House plans to launch targeted awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public about the importance and long-term benefits of fulfilling their zakat obligations.

Izzaddheen emphasised that increasing Zakat al-Mal contributions is not only a religious responsibility but also a vital means for Zakat House to extend its reach and offer more comprehensive assistance to those in need across the Maldives.

As of November 12, 2024, Zakat-al-Mal collections have totalled MVR 92.5 million for the year 2024.