Over MVR 11 million from Zakat Fund spent on students

Over MVR 11 million has been spent on students pursuing their higher education from the Zakat Fund over the past two years or so.

Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed, in a written letter to then-Islamic Minister Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali on September 15th, inquired about the details of expenditure from the Zakat Fund annually.

As per the Islamic Ministry’s response to the letter on Tuesday, it is the Ministry that disperses funds for students studying through financial assistance from the Zakat Fund.

In this regard, they detailed that the funds receivable for students studying on scholarships are deposited to the personal account of the students while the course fee is deposited to the account of the university or the college.

The Ministry added that the funds are deposited to the university or college each month under the stipulated regulations once the invoice is received.

Over 11 million from Zakat Fund has been spent on students in two years. Their details are as follows:

• 2020: MVR 508,242 to 13 students
• 2021: MVR 11,405,086.96 for 180 students

As per the Ministry, a large amount of expenses has been incurred from the Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic. They include:

MVR 1,000,000 to Gender Ministry to provide financial assistance for those in need

MVR 29,948 to Home Ministry to send care packages for students stranded in Cuba and to provide financial assistance for immigrants stranded in the Maldives

MVR 1,500,500 to Education Ministry to provide financial assistance for local pre-schools and Quran classes

MVR 3,00,000 to Foreign Ministry to provide financial assistance for locals stranded in foreign nations

Financial assistance from the Zakat Fund is provided for students who do not have the financial capacity to fund their own studies. The fund is also utilized to provide financial assistance for medical purposes and other basic needs.