Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has urged Maldivians to ensure that their connection with the Holy Quran is not confined to competitions, emphasising the vital importance of sustaining a lifelong love for the holy book in people's hearts.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony of the 38th National Quran Recitation Competition, the Vice President highlighted that acquiring Quranic knowledge is a fundamental duty upon every Muslim. He stressed that it is a collective responsibility to instill the fine habit of reciting the Holy Quran in children's hearts, thereby shaping the rising generation into one that is closely bonded with Islamic teachings.
The Vice President noted that the national competition is not designed solely for the purpose of winning awards. Instead, he described it as a valuable opportunity to foster a deep-rooted love for the Quran among participating children from across the country, while building a skilled generation well-versed in the rules of Tajweed.
"It is important to continue learning the Quran even after the competition concludes. You should ensure that your actions and conduct are good traits shaped by the light of Quranic knowledge, prioritising the nation and community. The sacrifices made by parents and Quran teachers to bring these children to the point of participating in this competition are invaluable. As the competition proceeds, my appeal is to encourage these children and emphasise sustaining the love for the Quran in their hearts rather than focusing solely on the results,” he stressed.
The Vice President also underscored the administration's strong commitment to imparting Quranic knowledge, highlighting several key achievements. Notably, the government has increased the financial allowance for Huffaz and expanded the services and role of the Centre for the Holy Quran across the atolls. Alongside these initiatives, he proudly revealed that 89 Huffaz have successfully earned their certification since 2023, describing it as a matter of great national pride.
He revealed that the government has further plans to spread Quranic study across the country, maintaining that the ultimate objective of all these state-led efforts is to ensure that Maldivian children are raised with fine character under the true guidance of the Holy Quran.