Maldives Donates MVR 500,000 to Gaza from Zakat al-Fitr Fund

The Maldives has donated MVR 500,000 from this year’s Zakat al-Fitr fund to support children in Gaza, Palestine, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.

The funds were officially handed over to the Isra Association, a local non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to Palestinian advocacy and humanitarian support. Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ali Ahsan, confirmed that the donation was made on Sunday. Earlier this Ramadan, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, had announced the government’s decision to allocate half a million rufiyaa from the Zakat al-Fitr collection to aid children affected by the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

The Isra Association, based in the Maldives, actively engages in raising awareness about Palestine and conducts fundraising initiatives to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. The organization has played a key role in mobilizing Maldivians in support of Palestinian causes.

This year saw a record-breaking rise in Zakat al-Fitr contributions in the Maldives. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs collected MVR 13.2 million in total, with MVR 12.4 million disbursed to those in need. Each of the 2,765 individuals listed in the national registry of low-income individuals and orphans received MVR 4,500, marking a significant increase in assistance compared to previous years. Additionally, in the Greater Malé area, each registered recipient was provided with 15 kilograms of grains as part of the Zakat distribution.

The Maldives has consistently voiced strong support for Palestine on international platforms and has undertaken various initiatives to extend humanitarian aid. The latest donation underscores the country’s solidarity with the people of Gaza, especially the vulnerable children impacted by the ongoing conflict.