The Zakat Bill, which seeks to establish a legal framework for the collection and distribution of zakat in the Maldives, has been opened for public comments.

The bill was submitted to Parliament by Vilufushi MP Hassan Waheed on behalf of the Government. Following preliminary debate, it was referred to the Social Committee, which has granted one week for public feedback starting Monday. The committee also decided to seek input from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance, and will submit its report to the Parliament by 20 October.

The bill aims to formalise the zakat system under a robust legal framework, ensuring that the collection and distribution of zakat align with Islamic jurisprudence. It mandates that the Act will apply to all persons residing in the Maldives, as well as non-residents with property in the country. Both property zakat and zakat al-fitr will be collected under the law.

A key feature of the bill is the establishment of a nine-member Zakat Council, to be formed within 60 days of the Act’s enactment. Chaired by the Minister of Islamic Affairs, the council will include senior representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Maldives Monetary Authority, the Centre for the Holy Quran, the Supreme Council of Islamic Fatwas, and two zakat experts appointed by the President.

The bill also proposes the creation of a government agency, the Maldives Zakat House, under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. This institution will assume the responsibilities, assets, and resources of the existing Zakat House, with authority to manage zakat collection and distribution, and to assign local councils to carry out related activities in rural areas.

Additionally, a Zakat Fund will be established, consolidating all resources of the current Zakat Fund into the newly created entity.