The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has announced that applications for scholarships funded through the Zakat Fund will be opened later this week.

Speaking at a press conference, the Minister said the scholarships will offer opportunities for postgraduate studies, including Master’s and PhD programmes in various fields of Islamic science. He added that the initiative aims to support areas of national need, including super specialities in medicine, where the Maldives currently lacks local expertise.

In addition to academic scholarships, Dr Shaheem said Zakat Fund resources will be used to support Quran education and train Hafizs, helping to strengthen religious scholarship in the country.

The Minister also noted that the Zakat Fund continues to play a vital role in providing financial assistance for medical treatment of low-income individuals. This includes support for kidney transplants, bone marrow transplants, cancer treatment, and lung-related illnesses.

Financial support will also be extended to Maldivian students currently studying Islamic sciences abroad at their own expense in countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, according to the Minister.

Dr Shaheem highlighted that the Zakat Fund received over MVR 100 million in Zakat al-Mal in 2024, the highest annual collection in the country’s history. So far in 2025, the Fund has received MVR 34 million in the first quarter alone.

He also revealed that this year saw the highest-ever collection of Zakat al-Fitr.

The official scholarship announcement, including eligibility and application details, is expected to be made later this week.