President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed attended the Huffaz Graduation Ceremony, held at the Islamic Centre and organised by the National Centre for the Holy Quran. 

The event highlighted the Government’s ongoing commitment to promoting religious education and Quranic studies across the Maldives.

During the ceremony, President Dr Muizzu presented certificates to 22 individuals who successfully completed the hifz programme. The Administration has prioritised the enhancement of religious education, resulting in significant expansions in Quranic teaching initiatives across the country’s atolls.

In alignment with these efforts, free Quran classes have been introduced in ten mosques nationwide following the Government’s decision to make such education accessible on every inhabited island. Previously suspended Quran lessons at various branches of the National Centre for the Holy Quran have also resumed. To ensure the sustainability of these classes, qualified Quran teachers have been recruited from overseas to serve in six different islands. Furthermore, Quran education has been strengthened in Hulhumalé, and a newly established centre in Villimalé has started offering lessons.

At present, there are 630 students enrolled in the Government’s hifz programme. To further support these efforts, the Administration has announced an increase in the allowance provided to Huffaz and a revision of certification criteria to a higher standard.

The Government has also introduced new initiatives aimed at improving Quranic recitation and expertise. A programme known as “Tahsinul Quran” has been launched to enhance the recitation skills of mosque imams, while another initiative, “Maqamat Ul Quranil Kareem,” seeks to refine Quranic recitation techniques. Additionally, the funding mechanism for the National Quran Competition has been restructured, with the Government now financing it through the state budget instead of Zakat funds, thereby elevating its status. A separate competition exclusively for Huffaz is also set to be introduced this year.

This year’s graduates come from various regions across the Maldives, with some individuals memorising the entire Quran at a notably young age. Among them, Zalaf bin Nafiu and Mus’ab Bin Faisal completed their memorisation at just 12 years old, while others achieved this milestone between the ages of 13 and 23.

The following individuals were honoured at the ceremony: