Doha, June 09 (QNA) – The Zakat Affairs Department at the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs on Tuesday issued its bulletin on the Zakat ratios applicable to shares of companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) for the financial year ending in 2025.

The bulletin covers 45 companies across the banking and financial services, insurance, services and consumer goods, transport, industry and trade, real estate, and telecommunications sectors.

The move comes as part of the Department’s integrated institutional effort to facilitate the calculation of Zakat on shares for shareholders and enable them to fulfill this religious obligation with ease and convenience.

Director of the Zakat Affairs Department Mohammed Abdul Latif Al Mahmoud stressed that the Department has, for years, been committed to issuing this bulletin on a regular and systematic basis due to its significant importance to shareholders in companies listed on the QSE.

He noted that the bulletin helps shareholders determine the amount of Zakat due on their shares in accordance with precise Islamic Sharia and accounting principles, thereby enabling them to pay Zakat on time and achieve its intended religious objectives.

Al Mahmoud pointed out that this governmental department is the one with the official prerogative in the State of Qatar responsible for collecting Zakat funds and disbursing them to eligible beneficiaries through their prescribed Sharia channels nationwide.

He added that its role isn’t limited to collecting and distributing Zakat; rather, it also encompasses the provision of advisory, Sharia, and accounting services related to Zakat calculations for individuals and firms.

Al Mahmoud outlined that the preparation of this bulletin is conducted in accordance with a rigorous scientific methodology based on studying and analyzing the financial statements of listed companies.

This process, the official pointed out, is undertaken by in-the-know Sharia researchers and financial accountants specializing in corporate Zakat, ensuring the determination of approved Zakat ratios in accordance with applicable Sharia rulings and accounting standards.

Al Mahmoud shared that the department continues to forge ahead with the development of its electronic services so as to facilitate the payment of Zakat for various categories of users. It recently rolled out a Corporate Zakat Calculator through its website and smart-device application, enabling company owners and businesspersons to calculate their companies’ Zakat quickly and easily based on sanctioned Sharia standards.

He also highlighted that shareholders can benefit from the Share Zakat Calculator available through the department’s website and smart application.

The service allows users to calculate the Zakat due on their shares directly after specifying the purpose of ownership, whether for investment or trading. The integrated electronic platform also enables users to calculate Zakat on cash, gold, silver, and companies, Al Mahmoud underscored.

Al Mahmoud urged all financial, commercial, and industrial enterprises, as well as businesspersons and capital owners, to take the initiative to pay their Zakat within the prescribed timeframes, given that it is one of the pillars of Islam and a legitimate right of the poor and needy.

He reemphasized that Zakat plays a critical role in deepening social solidarity, enhancing social stability, and supporting eligible groups.

Al Mahmoud urged shareholders to capitalize on the electronic services provided by the department, whether for calculating or paying Zakat, through the website, smart application, offices, and collection points that are ubiquitous across the nation, in addition to the designated accounts at Islamic banks and financial institutions.

By and large, the 2025 bulletin includes companies listed across various sectors of the economy, including banking and financial services, insurance, services and consumer goods, transport, industry and trade, real estate, and telecommunications.

Zakat ratios vary from one company to another depending on the nature of its activities and financial data. Some companies have paid Zakat in full on behalf of their shareholders, while other companies don’t incur Zakat obligations for shareholders due to the absence of profits.

The department noted that the detailed bulletin on Zakat ratios for shares is available to shareholders through its website and smart application, enabling them to review the approved ratios for each company and calculate the Zakat due scrupulously and with ease.

This move forms part of the implementation of the objectives of Awqaf’s strategic plan, which intends to forge ahead with digital transformation and develop an interconnected operational framework for services provided to the public.

This contributes to facilitating the performance of religious obligations while enhancing the quality of services and achieving the highest levels of efficiency and transparency in the management of Zakat funds. (QNA)