Zakat al-Fitr Collections Reach Record High of $973,336

The Maldives Zakat House has announced a historic collection of Zakat al-Fitr contributions, totaling USD 973,336 for the 2026 Ramadan season. This marks the largest volume of offerings in the nation's recent history. The institution confirmed that all funds have been fully disbursed to individuals listed on the national registry of the impoverished and needy. The 2026 figure represents a disciplined increase in charitable giving, surpassing the USD 880,456 collected in 2025, the USD 816,798 gathered in 2024, and the USD 823,056 recorded in 2023. To achieve this record participation, the administration implemented a multi-channel collection strategy that heavily integrated digital payment gateways. Citizens fulfilled their religious obligations through platforms including the Dhiraagu and Ooredoo applications, the Bank of Maldives, and the Maldives Islamic Bank, alongside FahiPay, the Avas app, and Bandeyri Pay. These digital efforts were supported by physical service desks established on 22 February to accommodate in-person cash and card transactions. The distribution of funds set a new precedent for the nation's social welfare system. The allocation reached USD 389 per capita, the largest equal per capita distribution of Fitr Zakat ever recorded in the country. A dedicated sum of USD 901,428 was explicitly directed to the impoverished and needy, a group that notably included 62 orphans.