Zakat distribution to begin tomorrow

Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced that the distribution of Zakat al-Fitr, or charity given to the poor at the end of Ramadan, will begin tomorrow.

In an announcement, the ministry said that the distribution of the money collected as Zakat al-Fitr to those registered as poor in Malé City, will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.

The money will be issued at Islamic Centre in Malé, and the ward offices in Hulhumalé and Vilimalé.

In islands excluding the Malé administrative division, Zakat al-Fitr will be arranged by the Council Offices.

The Ministry has advised people collecting the charity on another person’s behalf, to take with them the Identity Card of the registered person along with their own.

The Ministry also reminded that the money will not be issued later, if it is not collected within the defined period.

Zakat is a form of obligatory alms-giving and religious tax in Islam, and is one of the religion’s five pillars.

Zakat is collected in the Maldives at the rate of 2.4 kg rice per person. For plain rice, the amount is MVR 12 per person; for Thailand rice, MVR 50 per person; and for Basmati rice, MVR 75 per person.

The deadline for collection of Zakat has been extended until Thursday.