The Maldives Zakat House collected MVR 7.59 million in Zakat al-Mal during May, while MVR 2.69 million was disbursed from the Zakat Fund to support eligible beneficiaries and various assistance programmes during the same month.

Figures released by the Zakat House show that Zakat al-Mal collections increased by 75.3 per cent compared to May last year, when the fund received MVR 4.33 million.

The largest portion of the May disbursements, MVR 1.48 million, was allocated to support the poor and needy. This included MVR 1.45 million for medical assistance to individuals requiring treatment and MVR 31,000 to help those facing financial hardship meet essential living expenses.

The Zakat House noted that medical assistance accounted for the majority of support provided under this category during the month.

A further MVR 1.04 million was allocated under the Fi Sabilillah category to fund educational, religious and knowledge-based initiatives. Of this, MVR 753,239.02 was directed towards Qur'an memorisation programmes and other initiatives promoting Qur'anic education, MVR 246,989.40 was used to translate Islamic books and educational materials, and MVR 37,008 was provided to support individuals pursuing higher education.

The Zakat House said the initiatives are aimed at advancing Islamic knowledge, strengthening educational opportunities and improving public access to religious information.