President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has formed the "Shariah Advisory Committee" pursuant to the Zakat Act and named its members yesterday.

The Maldives Zakat House indicated that the President established a five-member committee, following the recommendation of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, to offer Shariah legal counsel and direction to those executing the Zakat Act concerning the development and functioning of the Zakat system in the Maldives.

As per the Zakat Act, individuals selected for the Shariah Advisory Committee must have a minimum Level 9 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework in a pertinent area of Islamic Shariah and should also hold a permit granted by the Ministry to give religious sermons and offer religious guidance.

The individuals selected for the committee are:

Chairperson: State Minister of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Abdulla Saudhan, M. Pettybird.

Member: Usaam Mohamed Saeed Gamary, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, GDh. Madaveli.

Member: BML’s Head of Shariah Governance and Compliance, Abdul Hadi Hussain, Tulip, R. Kinolhas.

Member: HSBC Amanah Malaysia, Ahmed Firas, Westlight, S. Hulhudhoo.

Member: Senior Legal Strategist of the Ministry of Finance, Azmeen Rasheed, Chabeyleevilla, GDh. Rathafandhoo.

Zakat House highlighted that establishing the Shariah Advisory Committee represents an important advancement in enhancing Shariah governance, transparency, and compliance with Shariah principles in the management of Zakat matters in the Maldives, aligned with the goals of the Zakat Act.

The Zakat Act, the first of its kind in the Maldives, took effect on the first day of last month. After the enactment of this legislation, the national Zakat policy, encompassing the collection and allocation of Zakat resources and assets, will be established by the President with the guidance of the Islamic Minister.

The Act additionally outlines the duties of the current Islamic Minister in relation to Zakat.