The Maldives Zakat House and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the area of human capital development.

The agreement was signed during the IIUM Special Convocation 2025 ceremony held on Tuesday, where the university conferred an honorary doctorate on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Minister of Islamic Affairs and Chairman of the Zakat House, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, signed the MoU on behalf of the Maldives Zakat House, while IIUM Rector Professor Dr Osman Bakar represented the university.

Under the agreement, both parties will cooperate on training programmes and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the Zakat system and services in the Maldives.

This collaboration is part of the Government’s broader efforts to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of Zakat management in the country. The Zakat House, established in 2023 under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, was formed to centralise and improve the administration of Zakat.