Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Zahir has said that MVR 5.5 million has been spend from the Zakaat Fund to facilitate various spending amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking on PSM’s “Raajje Miadhu” program last night, Minister Zahir said that the Zakaat Fund spend MVR 16 million last year as medical aid while MVR 3.3 million have been spend for the same purpose this year.

Minister Zahir said that the country sustained a social, financial and economic losses due to COVID-19 and MVR 15 million from the Zakaat Fund was spend as part of supporting the government in the recovery.

He said that MVR 3 million was spend from the fund to provide assistance to those in need abroad and a million was spend on housing and food for those who were homeless due to the pandemic.

And to address the challenges to the Quran classes in pre-schools, MVE 1.5 million was spent from the Zakaat Fund. Minister Zahir said that this adds up a total of MVR 5.5 million spend from the fund.