This year, Shuroi Ulamo (Council of Ulema – Tajikistan’s highest Islamic institution) has set the contribution for Zakat for Muslims having annual income of no less than 25,000 somonis (TJS) at TJS625.00.
The amount of Zakat was announced at a general meeting of the Shuroi Ulamo that took place in Dushanbe on April 8.
The Islamic Center of Tajikistan notes that Zakat can be given not only for the benefit of the poor, but also for the benefit of the families of those killed in the recent clashes at the Tajik-Kyrgyz border.
Zakat is a form of alms-giving treated in Islam as a religious obligation or tax, which, by Quranic ranking, is next after prayer (salat) in importance.
As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, zakat is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria of wealth. It is a mandatory charitable contribution, often considered to be a tax.
Zakat is based on income and the value of all of one's possessions. It is customarily 2.5% (or 1/40) of a Muslim's total savings and wealth above a minimum amount known as nisab, but Islamic scholars differ on how much nisab is and other aspects of zakat. According to Islamic doctrine, the collected amount should be paid to the poor, the needy.
Today, in most Muslim-majority countries, zakat contributions are voluntary, while in a handful (Libya, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen), zakat is mandated and collected by the state.
Meanwhile, the rate of Sadaqat al-Fitr has been set this year at 6.00 somonis. Sadaqat al-Fitr is a duty which is required of every Muslim during the holy month of Ramadan, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.
This amount is reportedly based on an average price for two kilograms of wheat.
