As a 100 percent Muslim nation where the Holy Quran serves as the ultimate source of divine guidance, blessing, and reward, the Maldives is witnessing an inspiring spiritual revival.
The nation is experiencing a steady surge in the number of individuals dedicating their lives to memorising the Holy Quran, with active government and institutional efforts underway to expand these sacred initiatives.
According to recent statistics shared with PSM News by the National Centre for the Holy Quran, enthusiasm for memorising the Holy Quran spans generations. Currently, 1,185 students are enrolled in memorisation classes at the Centre, with ages ranging widely from children over 7 to senior citizens above 65.
The momentum is yielding remarkable results. So far this year, 29 students have successfully memorised the entire Quran, bringing the total number of recognised Huffaz in the country to 320. This year's graduates reflect a broad spectrum of dedication, including four 13-year-olds, multiple teenagers and young adults, and four individuals over the age of 43. Notably, the record for the nation’s youngest Hafiz is held by Aman Ahmed Athif, who completed his memorisation at the astonishing age of 7 and is now 11.
Presently, three additional candidates—aged 16, 20, and 22—are actively reciting the Quran to the evaluation committee after completing their memorisation. To accommodate this growing wave of Huffaz, the National Centre for the Holy Quran has announced plans to increase the number of evaluation committees, allowing multiple candidates to be examined simultaneously.
Students enrolled in registered Quran classes can apply directly to the Centre or its designated committee to take the official Hafiz examination. Self-taught individuals or those from unregistered classes are also accommodated, provided they submit certification from a registered Hafiz on the Centre's official registry proving their competence.
With 20 Quran memorisation centers now operating across the Maldives—led by high enrollments at the Male’ and Hulhumale’ branches of the National Centre—the government is heavily investing in this spiritual journey.
In line with a bold government vision, the administration aims to increase the total number of Huffaz in the Maldives to 500 within its five-year term. To encourage and honour them, the government has introduced a special academic gown for graduation ceremonies and doubled the state allowance provided to recognised Huffaz.