The national tax agency, Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has collected MVR 66 million as Zakat-al-Mal by July this year.
Zakat-al-Mal is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the necessary wealth criteria and is a mandatory charitable contribution. Each year, the Islamic Ministry decides on a Nisab, the minimum amount a Muslim must have before being obliged to give Zakat.
According to the statistics released by MIRA for July, the agency received MVR 66.2 million in Zakat-al-Mal, including USD 5,446 in foreign currency. This marks an increase of MVR 7.6 million compared to the same period last year when MVR 58.6 million was collected.
Data shows that the amount collected in July this year doubled compared to the same month the previous year. While MVR 7.3 million was collected in July 2023, this figure increased to MVR 15.4 million in the same month this year.
Zakat-al-Mal was previously paid to the Islamic Ministry. However, since 2016, the collection of the zakat has been transferred to MIRA. Zakat can be paid through MIRA's online platforms and by visiting the MIRA office.