Participants during the seminar.
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs jointly organised a specialised seminar on the jurisprudence and calculation of palm zakat (zakat on date palms) yesterday, as part of the sidelines of the 11th Local Dates Festival, with the participation of Qatari farm owners and officials from both ministries.
Held at the Agriculture and Food Security Affairs Sector Tower, the seminar, titled “Palm Zakat: Sharia Rulings and Calculation Mechanisms,” was organised by the Ministry of Municipality’s Agricultural Affairs Department in cooperation with the Zakat Affairs Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. The event was attended by Yousuf Khalid Al Khalifi, Director of the Agricultural Affairs Department, along with senior officials and representatives of Qatari farms.
The event sought to enhance farmers’ knowledge of the jurisprudence surrounding zakat on agricultural produce and fruits, while providing practical guidance on accurately calculating zakat using modern methods and services available to zakat payers.
During the seminar, Dr. Ali Shafi Al Hajri, Assistant Director of the Zakat Affairs Department for Public Services, delivered a presentation on the religious and jurisprudential aspects of palm zakat. He reviewed the Islamic evidence and legal provisions governing zakat on crops and fruits, including the conditions for its obligation, the minimum threshold (nisab), the appropriate time for payment, and the circumstances under which zakat becomes due.
Dr. Al Hajri also explained the wisdom behind the obligation of zakat and its role in strengthening social solidarity and supporting community development. He stressed that palm zakat is an important aspect of Islamic charitable obligations that farmers should fully understand, noting that the Zakat Affairs Department continues to provide awareness programs and religious guidance to help zakat payers perform this duty correctly while promoting zakat culture across society.
Sheikh Dr. Fareed Amin Al Hindawi, Sharia Expert at the Zakat Affairs Department, focused on the practical and accounting aspects of calculating palm zakat. He explained the mechanisms that enable farm owners to calculate their zakat accurately and efficiently, presenting practical examples based on different crop types and production quantities.
