The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has announced that a new regulation will soon be enacted to govern the placement and use of fund boxes in mosques across the Maldives.

According to the Ministry, the decision comes in response to an increasing number of requests from organisations seeking permission to place fund boxes in mosques.

In a statement shared via his official X account, Minister Dr Shaheem emphasised that regulating such practices is essential to protect religious unity.

Under the new regulation, organisations will be required to submit detailed information outlining how the collected funds will be used before receiving permission to place fund boxes in mosques. Additionally, authorisations will only be renewed after the submission of expenditure details and an accompanying audit report, ensuring proper accountability.

Currently, there is no formal rule governing the placement of fund boxes in mosques. While organisations are required to submit written requests for permission to the Ministry, there have been instances where fund boxes were placed without official approval. The Ministry has also reported cases of vandalism and theft involving mosque fund boxes, stating that the upcoming regulations aim to address these concerns.