MVR 6.7 million collected as Zakat in Malé

People receiving Fitr zakat | Photo: Avas

Malé, Maldives – Ministry of Islamic Affairs stated that MVR 6,746,896 have been collected as Zakat Al Fitr from Malé, and that it was disbursed as MVR 4,200 per head.

The payment of Zakat was open from first of Ramazan to the last during which a total of 164,392 people paid the necessary amounts, leading to a total of MVR 6,746,896 being collected from Malé City as Zakat.

The Islamic Ministry said that 1,498 people are registered as poor in Malé and that the amount received as Zakat was disbursed to the registered people as MVR 4,200 per head.

Out of the registered people eligible for Zakat, 1,472 people provided their bank account details to Islamic Ministry within the specified period and were disbursed zakat via bank transfers. 22 people who did not provide their bank account details have also been disbursed zakat, and only four have yet to receive their zakat.

In addition to the, MVR 472,096 out of the money collected as zakat was donated to shelters including Fiyavathi, Amaan Veshi, Kudakudhinge Hiyaa and Center for People with Special Needs in K. Guraidhoo.

Islamic Ministry said that zakat was distributed before Eid al-Fitr prayers in Male’ and other residential islands. And that details of zakat distribution in the atolls will be released once they receive the information from all local councils

Zakat al-Fitr is requirement asked of every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of their needs. It must be distributed before Eid al-Fitr prayers at the latest, so that the poor can enjoy the day of Eid.

In Maldives, zakat collected from each island is distributed among the registered poor people living in that particular island. Islamic Ministry noted that this results in differences in the amount received as zakat.