Maldives Zakat House has announced that Zakat al-Fitr payments will be accepted from the first day of Ramadan, with both online and counter services available nationwide to facilitate contributions.

According to Maldives Zakat House, online payments will be open from 6:00 a.m. on the first day of Ramadan until 6:00 a.m. on the 27th day of Ramadan. This year, Zakat al-Fitr can be paid through seven digital platforms, including Dhiraagu Pay, Ooredoo M-Faisa, Maldives Islamic Bank mobile app, Bank of Maldives mobile app, FahiPay, Avas app, and Bandeyri Pay. Payments through Bandeyri Pay and FahiPay will remain open until the last day of Ramadan.

In addition to online services, Zakat al-Fitr will be accepted over the counter at the Islamic Centre hall, particularly to assist elderly residents and those unfamiliar with digital payment platforms. Zakat House also said arrangements will be made for Zakat al-Fitr to be collected in cash on islands through island and city councils.

Counter payment hours during Ramadan have been announced as follows: from 22 February to 9 March, counters will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on non-public holidays, while from 10 March to 19 March, counters will operate daily except Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The President’s Office has announced that the last ten days of Ramadan will be observed as public holidays.

Maldives Zakat House has set the Zakat al-Fitr amounts based on commonly consumed staple food items. The rates include MVR 12 for normal rice, MVR 53 for Thai white rice, MVR 96 for brown rice, MVR 77 for normal basmati rice, MVR 109 and MVR 136 for premium basmati rice categories, MVR 10 for normal flour, and MVR 75 for whole wheat flour.

Zakat al-Fitr is a mandatory charitable contribution intended to support eligible beneficiaries at the conclusion of Ramadan.