The Ministry of Islamic Affairs revealed on Tuesday that it has thus far received just a little under MVR 500,000 as Zakat Al-Fitr payments.
The ministry has collected a total of MVR 493,538. Most of this amount was collected through the Bank of Maldives, the HDC, and telecom company Ooredoo Maldives.
Tuesday is the 14th day of Ramadan for Maldivians. Last year, the Islamic Ministry had received over MVR 4.3 million as zakat payments.
Residents in outlying 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 13 per head if it is regular rice, MVR 43 for Thai rice, and MVR 81 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.
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.
