President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has conferred a special medal, memento, and prize for 28 Hafizes, for committing the Noble Quran to memory at the highest standard. The medals were presented to the recipients on the ceremony held to mark the Day the Maldives Embraced Islam.
The decision to award Hafizes with special medals from the president was taken in 2014, aiming to encourage the recitation and memorisation of the Holy Quran and to appreciate the hard work of Hafizes. In 2014, the medals were awarded to only three recipients, in the ceremony held to commemorate the Republic Day of the Maldives. Following this, Hafizes have been presented the special medal by the president annually.
However, in 2020, the government brought changes to the policy regarding the conferring of special medals to Hafizes, such that those who earn 85% marks and complete the memorisation at the highest standard, are awarded in the official ceremony held to mark the Republic Day of the Maldives. Meanwhile, the remaining Hafizes will be awarded with the special medal during the closing ceremony of the National Quran Competition.
Despite this change, President Dr. Muizzu has decided to confer the special medals to all Hafizes, regardless of the rank.