Distribution of “Mushaf Maldeef” begins, first copies to children learning Quran by heart

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has launched the distribution of “Mushaf Maldeef” – part of the government’s campaign to ensure every Maldivian has a copy of the Holy Quran.

First copies of the “Mushaf Maldeef” were given to five children learning Quran by heart at the

Center for Holy Quran by President Yameen during the function held at President’s Office this

Thursday morning to launch the Islamic television channel “Munnaaru”.

The “Mushaf Maldeef” campaign was launched two years ago under the guidance of former Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem.

The campaign is run by Ministry of Islamic Affairs, local NGOs and Quran Care Society of Bahrain – based solely on donations.

The first shipment brought to Maldives includes 100,000 copies of the Quran.

Ministry of Islamic Affairs decided earlier to distribute one copy for each household, but decided later it will be distributing a copy to every Maldivian between ages of 15 to 40 years.

Media coordinator for Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Mohamed Ahsan reported that the database needed for the distribution of the copies would be complete within the first week of January, and a copy of the Holy Quran distributed to every Maldivian between the ages of 15 to 40 years by end of January.

The date on which the second shipment would be brought in has not been announced.

Speaking during the launching, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Ziyad Bagir said that a number of other Islamic countries were providing assistance to promote the knowledge of Quran in Maldives – which he credited to the efforts by President Yameen to strengthen bilateral ties with Islamic and Arabic countries.

Minister Ziyad said that Saudi Arabian government had donated more than 1,000 copies of the Holy Quran, while the Turkish government donated over 2,000 copies.

He said Maldivian government was expecting some 60,000 copies of the Holy Quran from Qatar and United Arab Emirates.