Zakat on dates: New initiative launched at Liwa Date Festival 2026
The General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat launched the third edition of the “Mukhrafah” initiative for calculating and disbursing zakat on dates during the Liwa Date Festival 2026 in Liwa, Al Dhafra. The move coincides with the national date harvest season and aims to help farmers and household growers comply with religious obligations using official tools and guidance.
The launch was held as part of the festival activities and involves cooperation with the Emirates Council for Fatwa, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority. Officials said the initiative combines on-site outreach with digital services to ensure accurate assessment and timely distribution of zakat to eligible recipients.
Program features and partner collaboration
The initiative includes an integrated awareness campaign across the General Authority’s media platforms and partner channels, featuring educational content, video clips and guidance materials prepared by religious scholars and technical experts. Furthermore, the partners will answer common questions through dedicated hotlines and digital communication channels during the harvest period.
According to organizers, the partnership with the Emirates Council for Fatwa provides the religious framework and authoritative answers on rulings, while the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority contribute agricultural data and quality standards. Therefore, the program seeks to align religious obligations with practical agricultural realities.
Tools available: zakat calculator and digital services
The General Authority offers an Emirates program to calculate zakat on dates and an online smart zakat calculator accessible via its official website and mobile app. These tools let palm owners compute the zakat due based on the number of fruit-bearing palms and regional production figures, and they also provide an option to pay the monetary equivalent in UAE dirhams.
The authority has published the nisab threshold used for dates—541 kilograms—so growers can determine whether their harvest reaches the minimum taxable amount. Growers who prefer to pay cash instead of in kind can use the calculator to convert the amount into local currency, simplifying logistics and distribution to beneficiaries through established channels.
How farmers and household growers can participate
Farmers and owners of date palms are encouraged to assess their yields at harvest and use the available calculators to determine their zakat liability. The initiative’s outreach teams are present at festival locations to assist with calculations and to explain the legal and procedural steps for performing zakat correctly and responsibly.
For direct assistance, the authority has designated a hotline for zakat-on-dates inquiries, while the Emirates Council for Fatwa maintains a separate line for religious rulings and clarifications. The campaign urges date producers whose harvests meet or exceed the nisab to carry out their zakat as an expression of gratitude and social responsibility.
Public awareness, education and expected outcomes
The awareness program is designed to reach farmers across the country through short videos, informational leaflets and interactive sessions led by qualified scholars and agricultural advisors. Additionally, coordinators said the campaign will address common public questions about timing, nisab calculations and the preferred methods for distribution to the poor and needy.
Authorities expect the initiative to improve compliance and streamline the transfer of zakat funds and food staples to official distribution networks. Meanwhile, the collaboration with agricultural bodies aims to produce more accurate production estimates, reducing uncertainty for smallholders and larger farms alike.
Implications for social support and food security
Implementing a coordinated system for zakat on dates can strengthen the social safety net by ensuring timely delivery of staple foods and cash assistance to eligible households. According to officials, aligning religious institutions with agricultural and food-safety bodies helps improve targeting and preserves the nutritional value of distributed dates.
Furthermore, the availability of a monetary payment option through the calculator can reduce logistical burdens in distribution while allowing beneficiaries to receive support suited to local needs. Therefore, the initiative may contribute to broader food-security objectives during and after the harvest season.
Contact points and next steps
Growers seeking guidance can call the General Authority’s dedicated number for date zakat inquiries, while religious questions may be directed to the Emirates Council for Fatwa. Organizers recommend that producers check their harvest totals against the 541-kilogram nisab and use the authority’s smart zakat calculator if they prefer to pay in dirhams.
Looking ahead, officials said the campaign will continue through the date harvest season and will be evaluated for improvements ahead of the next year’s festival. Observers should watch for updates to the online tools, expanded outreach schedules and follow-up reports on the quantities distributed and communities assisted.
