The Maldives Zakat House is set to become a government agency under the Islamic Ministry after President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Zakat Bill.
The Bill was passed by the 20th People’s Majlis during its 28th sitting of the third session of 2025, held on Wednesday, 3 December 2025.
The purpose of this Act is to establish the legal framework governing the Zakat system in the Maldives, ensuring the effective organisation and regulation of the payment, receipt, and distribution of Zakat to fulfil the objectives prescribed in Islam.
With the entry into effect of this Act, a Zakat Fund will be established to safeguard Zakat contributions, distribute them to eligible beneficiaries, and invest the funds in accordance with Islamic Shariah. The Fund will be maintained in a dedicated account established with the Maldives Monetary Authority, separate from the public bank account, as determined by the Ministry of Finance. The Maldives Monetary Authority will serve as the custodian of the Zakat Fund.
With the establishment of the Zakat Fund, the Zakat Fund previously created under the Public Finance Act (Act No. 3/2006) will be transferred together with all monies held therein to the Fund established under this Act.
Under the Act, the national Zakat policy, including the collection and distribution of Zakat assets, shall be determined by the President on the advice of the Minister responsible for matters relating to Islam. The President shall also establish a Zakat Council to advise the Minister and the Maldives Zakat House on the administration of the Zakat system.
With the Act becoming effective, the Maldives Zakat House will become a government agency under the Ministry. All responsibilities, duties, assets, facilities, and budgetary funds previously allocated to the Maldives Zakat House, along with all rights and benefits granted to it by law or agreements, shall be transferred to the newly established agency. A Shariah Advisory Committee, appointed by the President, will provide Shariah guidance and oversight in matters relating to the formulation and implementation of the Zakat system.
Following ratification of the Bill, it has been published in the Government Gazette. The Act will become effective on 1 January 2026.
