KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 ― Putrajaya said it aims to produce 125,000 huffaz, or Quran memorisers, as part of its National Transformation 2050 (TN50) initiative.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the huffaz should be trained professionally to not just become imams or religious teachers, but also doctors, engineers, and even federal ministers.
“If we have 125,000 huffaz as professional workforce, God willing they can be Cabinet members one day. With even the prime minister a Quran memoriser, so they can lead us better,” the home minister was quoted saying by Sinar Harian.
Zahid said to achieve this, the government will rely on the National Tahfiz Education Policy, which requires endorsement from the Malay Rulers first.
He also urged all tahfiz schools, where huffaz go to learn Quran memorising, to register with the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) to ensure the safety and health of their students.
“I hope any tahfiz schools that have yet to be registered do so … not because they will be punished, but because we want to give help,” he reportedly said.
“[This proves] how the federal government cares about the religious education institution, and we are committed to help so Islam’s status can be advanced.”
Tahfiz schools were under media spotlight in the past few months after several of their students died from alleged abuse and recklessness.
Last week, seven tahfiz students perished when a van ferrying 12 students and two teachers plunged into the raving. Kelantan police confirmed that the driver did not have a driving licence.
Last month, 11-year-old tahfiz student Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi died after being allegedly beaten by an assistant warden, who was then arrested for murder.
