Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed announced last night that there are currently 301 huffaz in the country, with an additional 1,800 memorizing the Quran through various classes. 

Huffaz is the plural for hafiz: a person who knows the Quran by heart.

At the Huffaz graduation ceremony held at the Islamic Centre last night, Minister Shaheem stated that the ultimate goal of the Islamic Ministry is to increase the number of huffaz to 500 within this government's five years in office. 

At present, there are 162 male huffaz, and 139 female. 

According to Shaheem, the ministry envisions Maldives becoming the world's top nation in huffaz relative to population - a distinction he said would be a major honour for the nation. 

The minister further said that most of those enrolled in Quran memorization (Hifz) classes are children and youth. The highest number of students are studying at the Centre for the Holy Quran and Ilm institutions, he added. 

He noted that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu places high priority on the training of huffaz. As such, President Muizzu has decided to establish Centres for Holy Quran in all inhabited islands, fifty of which is to be opened by the end of the year, he added. 

As of now, six branches have been registered, while an additional 34 are in the process of registration, he said. Further, work is ongoing to build classes where such space is lacking. 

Last night's ceremony saw 31 huffaz graduate, including 19 male huffaz and 12 female.