President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the Maldives will soon see a day where extreme poverty is eradicated. The President made the remark while delivering the Presidential Address at the opening session of the Parliament for this year on Thursday.
In this address, the President said while Zakat is a fundamental pillar of Islam, it is also an important principle of social justice, as described by Islamic scholars. Zakat eradicates extreme poverty and establishes financial prosperity throughout the country, he said, adding that it will establish compassion, love and peace within the community.
“This is a fact confirmed by Islamic history. That is why I stood here last year and announced the establishment of the Zakat House to strengthen and expand the Zakat system,” he said, recalling some of his remarks in last year’s presidential statement.
Sharing the benefits gained by citizens and the nation through the establishment of Zakat House to strengthen and expand the Zakat system, the President said work has commenced to establish income-generating resources for those registered in the poverty registry. He also noted that the International Zakat Conference (INZAC) was held to develop necessary guidelines and regulations for modernising the Zakat system in a beneficial manner, and to gain technical capabilities for implementing Zakat work through modern technology
“Once the zakat system is modernized in this way and the policies are implemented, there will be a significant positive change in the country’s fiscal social justice or the general affordability ratio of the society and hopefully, the people will soon see a day without extreme poverty,” he said.
