The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has made preparations to collect zakat, charity to the poor as mandated in Islam, which it will distribute at the end of the ongoing month of Ramadan.

Residents in out lying islands can make zakat payments at respective local government councils. Individuals residing in the capital city can do so at the Islamic Center in Malé, the community center in Hulhumalé, and the Ministry of Housing premises in Vilingilli.

The levy for zakat is set at 2.4kgs of rice. This is MVR 16 per head if it is regular rice, MVR 55 for Thai rice, and MVR 80 for Basmati rice. Those residing in the outer lying atolls may pay zakat according to the prices available to them, given that they give away nothing less than the required 2.4 kg.

Last year, the Islamic Ministry had received over MVR 4.3 million as zakat payments.

While 'zakat' is any Islamic mandated charity, the word ‘Fitr’ refers to breaking fasts in Islam and is used in relation to the fasting month of Ramadan.