In conjunction with the 900th hijri anniversary of Maldives embracing Islam, a symposium for young khatibs has commenced today. 

A khatib is a person qualified to deliver sermons during special prayers on Fridays and Eid. 

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Edowments stated that over 300 khatibs are participating in this symposium, at which one of the Imams of Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, Sheikh Dr Yasir Al-Dawsary will be a guest. 

According to the ministry, the highest number of huffaz in Maldivian history were trained under the incumbent administration, with there currently being a total of 322 huffaz. 

The ministry's aim is to increase this number to 500 in the remaining two years of this administration's term, they stated. 

The ministry has previously said that the objective of this symposium is to increase youth participation in religious outreach and to strengthen the relationship between khatibs and imams. 

Khatibs from across the atolls have also travelled to the capital to attend the symposium, with all arrangements being undertaken by the ministry itself, Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said. 

The 'Young Khatibs' programme is given special priority by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration and aims to to build a generation of young khatibs to deliver sermons in Maldives' mosques. 

In efforts to spread religious knowledge and study of the Quran, the government has also increased the allowance being issued to huffaz. 

Huffaz (plural for Hafiz[a]) are persons who have memorized the entire Quran. 

Branches of the Centre for the Holy Quran are currently operating in 30 islands. Registration of 20 more are currently underway, while 58 more centres are under development. Development of an additional 30 such centres have been included in next year's budget as well, the ministry revealed.