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 36,000 somonis (TJS) at TJS900.00 somonis, according to the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan. 

The amount of Zakat was reportedly announced at a general meeting of the Shuroi Ulamo that took place in Dushanbe on February 25. 

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 8.00 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.

Sadaqat al-Fitr (also known as Zakat al-Fitr) is charity given to the poor at the end of the fasting in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.  The Arabic word Fitr means the same as iftar, breaking a fast, and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast.

Sadaqat al-Fitr is a duty which is wajib (required) of every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.

Every Muslim is required to pay Sadaqa al-Fitr at the conclusion of the month of Ramadan as a token of thankfulness to God for having enabled him or her to observe the obligatory fast.

The amount of Sadaqat al-Fitr is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one sa`a (four double handfuls) of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family.  This calculation is based on Ibn 'Umar's report that the Prophet made Sadaqat al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a sa`a of dried dates or a sa`a of barley.  According to the majority of Sunni scholars One Sa'a is approximately between 2.6 kg to 3 kg.  Cash equivalent (of the food weight) may also be given if food collection and distribution is unavailable in that particular country.

Sadaqat al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of the bonds of community.  The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor.  This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have.