Manama: Bahrain's king Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa has highlighted the significance of an international fund for Zakat (alms giving), the Kingdom's foreign minister has said.

"King Hamad stressed, as he received Hassan Bin Talal, his interest in the idea of launching an international zakat fund," Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa said. "The fund can help address needs through investment projects that would benefit needy people in our Islamic world," he said.

On Thursday, King Hamad received Jordan's Prince Hassan Bin Talal and discussed with him a wide range of issues, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.

"The launch of the international zakat fund will certainly help needy and poor people in the world," Shaikh Khalid said. "There is a crucial need for Islamic countries to coordinate their efforts through the Islamic Conference Organisation in order to fulfill the aspirations of Muslims," he said in a statement carried by BNA.