Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said that if the Zakat fund management is strengthened and is protected legally and if all the required people pay the Zakat then MVR 500 million will be deposited annually.
Dr. Shaheem made this remark at the discussion forum held regarding the strengthening of the Zakat system of Maldives.
Dr. Shaheem said that a draft of the Zakat laws were made in the year 2012 to strengthen the Zakat system. He said that he an Sheikh Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa did much efforts to make this draft.
“The Sheikh worked hard for it. We researched many Zakat laws. Specially we researched the model of the Zakat law made by the Azhar Univeristy,” he said.
Dr. Shaheem said that Sudan has the best Zakat system in the word. He said that Zakat fund is protected legally in countries such as Kuwait and Malaysia.
“They have legal institutions to manage Zakat related issues. Therefore, Maldives being a hundred percent Muslim country should have legal protection of Zakat related funds. This is something very important for a country such as Maldives,” he said.
Dr. Shaheem said that it is saddening that many people still don’t give much importance to Zakat. He said that Islam clearly establishes the obligation of Zakat and it is not left as a choice.
If Zakat are paid good then MVR 500 million will be collected annually- Dr. Shaheem
