The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has received over MVR six million for Zakat-Al-Fitr this year.

The ministry revealed that they had received Zakat payments from 156,740 residents of the capital, Malé City.

The ministry earlier revealed that they will be collecting funds for Zakat-Al-Fitr online from the Greater Malé Region this year.

As such, arrangements were made for residents of the Greater Malé Region to efficiently make their Zakat payments, online. Four online platforms were established through Ooredoo Maldives, Dhiraagu, Maldives Islamic Bank and Bank of Maldives.

Zakat payments were accepted from the first day of Ramadan 1441 up until 6pm on the 28th day.

The total amount collected through Zakat payments sits at MVR 6,649,697.

Earlier, the ministry had revealed that the amount due for each person in the registry for the poor, will be different for those in the capital, and outlying atolls.

The ministry has since completed disbursing the funds, having distributed Zakat funds to 1,697 individuals in the capital, out of the 1,715 registered.

A total of MVR 6,448,600 was disbursed to the less-fortunate this year.

Further, the ministry also provided funds of MVR 201,097 to the children’s shelter, Fiyavathi as well as the center for those with special needs in Guraidhoo island of Kaafu atoll.

Funds were deposited to the accounts of those who provided details by the 28th day, totaling 1,621 individuals.

76 additional individuals were provided Zakat funds on the 30th day as well.

Only those registered as low-income families or individuals are eligible to receive Zakat. A total of 8,764 individuals are registered as poor in the Maldives currently. This includes 1,717 from Malé and 7,047 from outlying atolls.

According to ministry statistics, they received MVR 5,644,118 in total for Zakat payments during 2019 which is an increase of MVR one million compared to the previous year, where the ministry received MVR 4,256,495.

This comes at a time the Covid-19 pandemic has been sweeping across the country and the Greater Malé Region has been locked down.