Islamic Minister, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said that the Zakat fund has more than MVR 70 million with the MVR 52 million collected last year.
Dr. Shaheem made this remark at the discussion forum held regarding the strengthening of the Zakat system of Maldives.
Dr. Shaheem said that a legal system has to be established to protect the Zakat fund legally.
“Zakat is an important pillar of Islam. It is a revered pillar of Islam. Allah has mentioned Zakat with the five daily prayers in many places of the Quran. That is to establish the prayers and give Zakat,” he said.
Dr. Shaheem said that despite the many verses that call for Zakat many of the Muslims today are negligent of this act of worship. He said that it is because of the lack of awareness in the Muslim world today.
However, Dr. Shaheem noted that many are now realizing the importance of Zakat during recent years.
He said that Zakat unlike other pillars of Islam can be developed. “Therefore Zakat has been developed in many parts of the world. It is developed in view of the situation and welfare of that country,” he said.