Zakat Fund collections jump 44% last month

The Maldives Zakat Fund collected MVR 17.37 million in Zakat al-Maal contributions last month, marking a 44.2 per cent increase compared with the same month last year.

Official figures show that MVR 17,366,787.29 was collected in July 2026, up from MVR 12,040,524.09 in July 2025. The year-on-year increase amounts to approximately MVR 5.33 million.

The fund also provided MVR 2.80 million in zakat assistance during July, with the largest allocation going towards people classified as poor and needy.

A total of MVR 1.75 million was distributed under this category. Of that amount, MVR 1.48 million was used to provide medical assistance, while MVR 115,250 supported basic necessities and MVR 155,950 was allocated for essential housing needs.

The figures come as zakat continues to serve as an important source of assistance for people facing financial hardship, medical expenses and difficulties meeting essential living and housing needs.

Zakat al-Maal is the obligatory charitable contribution made by eligible Muslims based on qualifying wealth, with the funds distributed among categories of people entitled to receive zakat under Islamic principles.