Nineteen students have received Zakat Scholarships for higher education in the Maldives and abroad, awarded by the Zakat Fund of the Maldives.
After a seven-year hiatus, the scholarships were presented at a special ceremony held at the Islamic Centre. Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef presented certificates to the recipients of both scholarships and special scholarships in Islamic fields.
This year, the Zakat Scholarships are being awarded in two rounds. In the first round, 17 students received full scholarships for higher education in Islamic fields, while special scholarships were awarded to seven students.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said the students selected for the Zakat Scholarship under the second round will be presented with their scholarships very soon. The Minister said that this is the first time that such a large number of scholarships have been granted for Islamic studies.
In his speech, the Minister announced that a special law will be introduced to further strengthen and promote the Zakat system. Highlighting the history of the Maldives’ Zakat system, he noted that the Zakat sector remains the only area unaffected by political changes or reforms affecting other areas.
While a separate agency, the Maldives Zakat House, has been established to manage Zakat affairs, its work is being further strengthened under the supervision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Minister noted.
"Our country has all the resources needed to organise this effectively. The Maldives has the mindset, the vision and the government support required. We have all the foundations to develop this system," he added.
Speaking about the Zakat Act Bill introduced in Parliament on 11 August to enhance the Zakat system, Minister Shaheem said that the Zakat Fund is the most supportive fund for the state. He explained that the Zakat Fund covers critical expenses for those unable to afford medical treatments not fully covered by Aasandha insurance or other government funding systems. This includes kidney transplants, liver transplants and bone marrow transplants, he said. The Minister also emphasised that the Zakat Fund supports many other underprivileged people.
The Minister said that the current vision of the Islamic world is to strengthen the Zakat system, and noted that Zakat institutions are being developed to align with modern practices. He noted that efforts are underway to ensure the Maldives’ Zakat system is on par with comprehensive Zakat systems worldwide.
The Minister of Islamic Affairs added that the efforts made with the enactment of the Zakat Act will help to establish a robust Zakat system in the Maldives that could serve as an example across the Islamic world.
"We want a strong Zakat system that is exemplary in the entire Islamic world. Hopefully, the Zakat Bill will be passed and these efforts will be fulfilled through the legal framework," he said.
The opportunity to apply for scholarships to pursue higher education in the Maldives and abroad through the Zakat Fund was opened last April, with the deadline for application expiring on 29 May. The Zakat Fund offered 50 scholarships in total, with 20 allocated for study in the Maldives, and 30 abroad. The countries opened for study abroad were Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and SAARC countries, and 17 opportunities were opened for study specifically in Malaysia and Brunei.
The Zakat Fund last awarded scholarships in 2018.