5-member Shari’ah Advisory Committee established under Zakat Act

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Monday established and appointed members to the Shari’ah Advisory Committee under the Zakat Act passed last year.

Section 19(a) of the Zakat Act stipulates that the President shall, upon the advice of the Minister of Islamic Affairs, constitute a five-member Shari’ah Advisory Committee to provide Shari’ah-related advice and guidance to the authorities responsible for the formulation, implementation, and administration of the Maldives’ Zakat system.

Furthermore, Sections 19(b) and 19(c) of the Act provide that the Committee shall comprise representatives from both government and non-governmental sectors.

The Act also mandates that all appointed members must possess a minimum Maldives National Qualifications Framework (MNQF) Level 9 qualification in a relevant field of Islamic Shari’ah and hold a valid permit for religious preaching and counseling issued by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

The five members appointed to the Committee are:

• Chairperson: Abdulla Saudan (M. Pettybird, Malé City), Minister of State for Islamic Affairs, Ministry of Islamic Affairs
• Member: Usam Mohamed Saeed (Gamaree, GDh. Madaveli), Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ministry of Islamic Affairs
• Member: Abdul Haadi Hussain (Tulip, R. Kinolhas), Head of Shari’ah Compliance and Governance, BML Islamic, Bank of Maldives
• Member: Ahmed Firas (Westlight, S. Hulhudhoo), Country Head of Shari’ah, HSBC Amanah, Malaysia
• Member: Azmeen Rasheed (Chanbeyleevilla, GDh. Rathafandhoo), Senior Legal Strategist, Ministry of Finance & Planning

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs described the establishment of the Shari’ah Advisory Committee marks a significant step toward strengthening Shari’ah governance, transparency, and compliance in the administration of Zakat in the Maldives, in line with the objectives of the Zakat Act.