To strengthen Islamic social finance and build professional expertise in zakat administration, the Maldives Zakat House has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The agreement was signed during a special ceremony held at IIUM on29th April 2025, Tuesday, where His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was conferred an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his contributions to Islamic governance and leadership.
The MoU was signed by Minister of Islamic Affairs and Chairman of the Maldives Zakat House, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and IIUM Rector Professor Dr Osman Bakar, representing the university. The agreement establishes a collaborative framework to support training programmes, research, and capacity-building initiatives in zakat and Islamic social finance, with a focus on enhancing institutional effectiveness and developing qualified professionals in the field.
The partnership comes as part of the Maldivian Government’s broader commitment to modernise and professionalise zakat management across the nation. Established in 2023 under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Maldives Zakat House was created to centralise zakat collection and distribution, improve governance, and ensure transparency in the use of charitable funds in accordance with Islamic principles.
Through this collaboration, the Maldives Zakat House and IIUM will jointly develop human resource development programmes tailored to meet the needs of Maldivian zakat institutions, with an emphasis on applied knowledge, administrative efficiency, and accountability. The agreement also opens doors for academic exchanges, expert consultations, and cooperative research that will contribute to long-term improvements in Islamic charitable services in the Maldives.
Speaking about the agreement, Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed noted that IIUM’s academic leadership and regional expertise in Islamic finance make it a natural partner for supporting the Maldives’ aspirations in this field. He affirmed that the MoU will contribute meaningfully to the Maldives’ vision of establishing a robust and credible zakat system that benefits communities in need and aligns with the country’s religious values.
This initiative underscores the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation in education, religion, and public service, while reinforcing the Maldives’ position as a forward-thinking Islamic nation committed to upholding social responsibility through sustainable development models rooted in faith.
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