President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has established a five-member Shariah Advisory Committee to provide guidance on the implementation of the Zakat Act.

The Zakat Act was passed on 6 December 2025, establishing a statutory framework for the administration of zakat in the Maldives, including the formation of a nine-member Zakat Council. Under the Act, the Shariah Advisory Committee is mandated to advise on Shariah matters related to the interpretation and application of the law.

The committee is appointed by the President on the advice of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. Members are required to possess a minimum Maldives National Qualifications Framework (MNQF) Level 9 qualification in a relevant field of Islamic Shari’ah and hold a valid permit for religious preaching and counseling issued by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

The appointed members of the Shariah Advisory Committee include Uz Abdulla Saudan, Minister of State for Islamic Affairs, who will serve as chairperson; Uz Usam Mohamed Saeed, Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs; Uz Abdul Haadi Hussain, Head of Shariah Compliance and Governance at BML Islamic; Uz Ahmed Firas, Country Head of Shariah at HSBC Amanah in Malaysia; and Uz Azmeen Rasheed, Senior Legal Strategist at the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

The establishment of the Shariah Advisory Committee is intended to ensure that the implementation of the Zakat Act is aligned with Islamic principles and best practices, supporting effective governance and compliance as the new legal framework comes into operation.