Ministry of Islamic Affairs has begun collecting Zakat al Fitr.
Due to the restrictions imposed following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zakat al Fitr payments would be accepted online. In Greater Male' region, Zakat payments will be collected via Dhiraagu Pay and Lifestyle application, mFaisaa application, and Ooredoo SMS service. In addition, it can be paid through the Bank of Maldives (BML) website, Faisaanet of Maldives Islamic Bank, and mobile banking platform Faisaa Mobile. The deadline for paying Zakat al Fitr is the 29th day of Ramadan, which falls on May 22.
For residents in Male', the rates of Zakat range from 0.97 to 6.80 US dollars. In other areas, the Zakat rate would be the same rate at which rice is sold in the respective area.
Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of their needs must pay Zakat al Fitr before the Eid al Fitr prayer at the end of Ramadan. The minimum amount due is the equivalent of about 2 kilograms of wheat flour, rice, or other staple food, per member of the household, including dependents, even if they do not live in the same house. Recipients of Zakat al Fitr are the poor and those in need.