Algeria has set the Zakat threshold for the Hijri year 1447 AH at 2,295,000 Algerian Dinars, equivalent to 229.5 million centimes. The announcement was made on Thursday evening, establishing the minimum amount upon which Zakat becomes obligatory for eligible Muslims. This threshold guides individuals in calculating their payable Zakat contributions for the current Islamic year.
Gold Value Basis
The Zakat threshold, set at 2,295,000 Algerian Dinars, represents the value of 20 gold dinars. This amount is equivalent to 85 grams of gold, forming the basis for the calculation. The National Agency for the Transformation and Distribution of Gold and Precious Metals (AGENOR) established the price of one gram of 18-carat gold at 27,000 Dinars at the beginning of the Hijri year. This valuation by AGENOR directly influences the determination of the Zakat threshold, ensuring its alignment with current gold market prices. The established gold value serves as a consistent standard for Muslims to assess their wealth for Zakat obligations.
Zakat Payment Obligations
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments reiterated that Zakat requires a payment of 2.5% on any money that reaches the specified threshold and has been held for a full Hijri year. This obligation applies to cash, commercial goods, and commodities, which must be valued at their market price on the day Zakat is due. The Ministry stated, "وجوب إخراج ما نسبته 2.5 بالمئة من كل مال بلغ النصاب المذكور، وحال عليه الحول (العام)، من النقود أو من العروض التجارية والسلع، التي تقوّم بسعرها في السوق يوم زكاتها" (It is obligatory to pay 2.5 percent of all money that has reached the mentioned threshold and on which a full year has passed, whether it is cash, commercial goods, or commodities, which are valued at their market price on the day of their Zakat).
For payment, the Ministry has provided provincial postal accounts linked to the National Office of Endowments and Zakat. These accounts allow payers to deposit their Zakat directly. Alternatively, contributions can be made through Zakat funds established at mosques across the country.
Ministry's Guidance
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments made the announcement regarding the Zakat threshold on the occasion of the Hijri year 1448 AH. The Ministry clarified the calculation method for the threshold, stating, "وعليه فإن النصاب يُحسب كما يلي: 85 × 27.000 دج = 2.295.000 دينار" (Thus, the threshold is calculated as follows: 85 x 27,000 DZD = 2,295,000 Dinars). This calculation explicitly links the Zakat threshold to the value of 85 grams of gold at 27,000 Dinars per gram.
The Ministry also reiterated the obligation for Zakat payments, specifying that 2.5% is due on wealth that meets the established threshold and has been held for a full Hijri year. "وجوب إخراج ما نسبته 2.5 بالمئة من كل مال بلغ النصاب المذكور، وحال عليه الحول (العام)، من النقود أو من العروض التجارية والسلع، التي تقوّم بسعرها في السوق يوم زكاتها" (It is obligatory to pay 2.5 percent of all money that has reached the mentioned threshold and on which a full year has passed, whether it is cash, commercial goods, or commodities, which are valued at their market price on the day of their Zakat), the Ministry stated. This guidance covers cash, commercial goods, and other commodities, which must be assessed at their market value on the day Zakat is due.
