President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the country’s first-ever Zakat Act, establishing a legal framework to manage Zakat in the Maldives.
The bill was submitted to Parliament in August 2019 and passed on December 3, 2025 at the 20th Parliament’s third session. The new law gives legal status to the Zakat House of Maldives, announced earlier in December 2023.
Under the Act, the President must form a Zakat Council within two months to advise the Islamic Ministry and the Zakat House. A Shariah Advisory Committee must also be created. The Zakat House is required to draft all related regulations within five months.
The Act outlines how the Zakat Fund will operate. It allows penalties for misuse of Zakat funds, including fines for improper investment and action against individuals who obtain Zakat through false information.
