President Muizzu Officially Establishes Maldives Zakat House Under New Zakat Act

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially established the Maldives Zakat House as an agency under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, following the ratification of the country’s first Zakat Act in December 2025. The Zakat House was inaugurated on Thursday, marking a significant step in the structured collection and distribution of Zakat in the Maldives. The establishment of the agency dissolves the previous entity known as the Maldives Zakat House, which operated under the Ministry before the enactment of the Zakat Act. The Act, which came into full force at the beginning of the new year, outlines punishable offenses related to the unauthorized collection and misuse of Zakat funds, with fines ranging from MVR 1,000 to MVR 100,000 for violations. The Maldives Zakat House is tasked with ensuring the efficient collection and distribution of Zakat to beneficiaries, announcing the Nisab twice annually, and maintaining the National Registry of the Poor and Needy in collaboration with state authorities.