Fitra rate fixed: Minimum Tk 110, maximum Tk 2,805 per person

The National Sadakatul Fitr Determination Committee has fixed the rates for Sadakatul Fitr for the month of Ramadan of the Hijri year 1447. The minimum fitra per person has been set at Tk 110 and the maximum at Tk 2,805 in Bangladesh. The rates remain unchanged from last year.

The decision was made at a meeting held on Wednesday at the Islamic Foundation's conference room on the premises of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital. The meeting was presided over by committee president and Baitul Mukarram Khatib Mufti Maulana Abdul Malek, who announced the fixed fitra rates to journalists after the meeting.

According to Islamic Shariah, affluent Muslims can pay fitra by giving the prescribed quantity of any one of six items—wheat, flour, barley, dates, raisins or cheese—or an equivalent market value.

For wheat or flour, the prescribed quantity is 1kg 650 grams. For dates, raisins, cheese and barley, the prescribed quantity is 3kg 300 grams. Based on current market prices of these items, the minimum and maximum fitra rates have been determined.

The value of 1kg 650 grams of high-quality flour or wheat has been set at Tk 110 (based on Tk 65 per kg). For barley, 3kg 300 grams is valued at Tk 595 (Tk 180 per kg). For raisins, 3kg 300 grams is valued at Tk 2,640 (Tk 800 per kg). For dates, the same quantity is valued at Tk 2,475 (Tk 750 per kg), and for cheese, 3kg 330 grams is valued at Tk 2,805 (Tk 850 per kg).

However, prices may vary in local retail markets. It was informed that fitra can be paid according to local market prices in respective areas.

Committee members and eminent scholars were present at the meeting. Mohammad Harunur Rashid, Director of Islamic Foundation's Dawah and Culture Division, read out the presidential address.

It was also informed that a person who possesses wealth equivalent to the nisab amount (equivalent to 7.5 tolas of gold or 52.5 tolas of silver) at the time of dawn on Eid day is obligated to pay Sadakatul Fitr for themselves and their dependents, including minor children. Fitra must be paid before the Eid prayer.

Depending on the sighting of the moon, the holy Eid-ul-Fitr may be celebrated on March 20 or 21.