Ministry of Islamic Affairs has opened the opportunity for individuals living in the Greater Male’ Region to register as poor and needy.
The Islamic ministry said individuals in Male’ City, Hulhumale’ and Villimale’ who wish to register as poor and needy can submit their applications until June 22. Applications can be submitted to the ministry between 0900hrs and 1200hrs on non-official holidays.
The Islamic ministry stated individuals who received Zakat Al-Fitr this year will not have to register as they are already registered. However, families with a member who will reach 18 or 65 years of age by June 22 need to re-register.
Each year, individuals are allowed to submit forms to be registered as poor and needy or submit complaints. The register allows easier endowment of Zakat, which is an annual payment under Islamic law on certain kinds of property used for charitable and religious purposes. The register also allows the government to provide assistance to the poor and needy.
A total of 8,446 individuals were registered as poor in the Maldives so far. Of these, 1.736 individuals are registered in the Greater Male’ Region.