Date: 3 February 2010

Played a leading role in the establishment of the Zakat Fund, created under the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and administered by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. This initiative marked a significant institutional reform in the Maldives by introducing, for the first time, a structured and nationally coordinated mechanism for the systematic collection, management, and distribution of zakat in accordance with Shariah principles.

Under this framework, the Zakat Fund has supported a wide range of humanitarian, religious, and community development initiatives. The fund provides financial assistance for medical treatment to needy individuals, including support for vulnerable patients requiring urgent healthcare services. It also provides support for persons with disabilities, economically vulnerable households, and individuals burdened with court-verified debts, thereby addressing critical socio-economic challenges within the community through Islamic social finance mechanisms. The fund supports Qur’an memorization programmes, Quran competitions, and religious awareness activities, while also financing capacity-building programmes for Quran teachers, Islamic educators, funeral service practitioners, Imams, and Khateebs across the Maldives. These initiatives have contributed significantly to strengthening religious knowledge, institutional capacity, and community-based Islamic services nationwide.

The Zakat Fund also contributes to the development and maintenance of religious infrastructure, including mosques, prayer facilities in schools and public institutions, graveyards, and other community religious facilities. Furthermore, the fund provides assistance to individuals affected by natural disasters or emergencies and extends support to Maldivian citizens facing crises abroad, thereby expanding the scope of zakat as a mechanism for national solidarity and humanitarian assistance.

Date: 18 December 2023

Under the direction and guidance of H.E. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Dr. Shaheem led the establishment of the Maldives Zakat House, marking a historic institutional reform in the administration of zakat in the Republic of Maldives. The establishment of the Maldives Zakat House strengthened the national zakat governance framework by introducing a centralized institutional authority responsible for the strategic management, collection, distribution, and development of zakat resources in accordance with Shariah principles. The initiative introduced structured mechanisms for zakat collection and distribution, ensuring improved transparency, accountability, and effective allocation of resources to eligible beneficiaries. In addition, Dr. Shaheem led the introduction of Shariah-compliant investment strategies designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of zakat funds, thereby enabling zakat resources to generate continuous social impact rather than functioning solely as short-term relief mechanisms.

Date: 06^th December 2025

Building upon the institutional development of the Maldives Zakat House, Dr. Shaheem played a central role in the formulation and initiation of the Zakat Act (Act No. 27/2025) under the direction and guidance of H.E. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

This legislation introduced, for the first time in Maldivian history, a comprehensive legal framework governing zakat administration, institutional governance, regulatory compliance, and financial accountability. The Act formalized the operational mandate of zakat institutions and established clear legal standards for zakat management, ensuring transparency, governance oversight, and adherence to Shariah principles. The enactment of the Zakat Act significantly strengthened the legal and regulatory foundations of Islamic social finance in the Maldives, providing a sustainable framework for the administration and long-term development of zakat resources.

Year: 2025

Dr. Shaheem also led the establishment of zakat-funded scholarship initiatives aimed at expanding access to higher education in Islamic and related academic fields. This initiative utilizes zakat resources to support the development of future Islamic scholars, educators, and professionals who will contribute to religious leadership and Islamic knowledge dissemination in the Maldives. The programme provides structured financial assistance to eligible students pursuing higher education in fields related to Islamic studies and public service. In 2025, a total of 25 scholarships were awarded, enabling students to pursue advanced academic training and strengthening the national capacity for Islamic scholarship and religious leadership. This initiative reflects a strategic approach to zakat utilization by investing in human capital development and long-term intellectual growth within the Muslim community.

Year: 2025

Dr. Shaheem also the use of zakat funds for life-saving medical treatment, including bone marrow transplant procedures for patients suffering from thalassemia, a serious hereditary blood disorder. This initiative expanded the social welfare scope of zakat in the Maldives by ensuring that zakat resources could support critical healthcare needs for vulnerable individuals, thereby reflecting the Islamic principle of preserving human life (ḥifẓ al-nafs) as one of the higher objectives of Shariah (Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah).

Date: 4 November 2024

Recognizing the importance of digital governance in improving service delivery, Dr. Shaheem led the integration of Zakat Medical Welfare Services with the national OneGov digital platform. This initiative enabled citizens to submit zakat assistance applications electronically, monitor the progress of their applications, and receive updates through a transparent digital interface. The integration significantly improved accessibility, operational efficiency, and transparency in the delivery of zakat-funded welfare services.

Year: 2014

Dr. Shaheem further strengthened the modernization of zakat administration by successfully securing grant funding from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to support the development of a national zakat management software system to ensure that zakat resources are managed efficiently, transparently, and in accordance with international best practices in Islamic financial governance.