The Maldives Zakat House is preparing to introduce a structured mechanism to facilitate public charitable contributions, according to Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.

The system will allow donations in the form of sadaqat, khairath, and waqf, which will be directed towards various charitable causes. Discussions on the initiative have been held with the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), with Minister Shaheem, senior officials from the Zakat House, and Commissioner General of Taxation Hassan Zareer working on the implementation process.

Minister Dr Shaheem emphasised the importance of increasing public participation in charitable giving to support social welfare projects. He highlighted the need for better resources and infrastructure for mosques and Quran classes, particularly in the outer islands, and noted that the Zakat House is being developed based on the operational model of Kuwait’s Zakat House.

He also acknowledged the role of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in prioritising improvements to the zakat system and noted that significant progress has been made under the current administration.

Established on December 18, 2023, the Maldives Zakat House manages the collection and distribution of Zakat Al-Mal and Zakat Al-Fitr. The institution provides financial assistance for those in need, including support for debt relief and medical aid, while also promoting awareness of zakat’s role in the community.