PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) has awarded 232 huffaz students scholarships totalling RM3.33mil this year under the Skim Pembiayaan Hafiz (SPH).

       According to Jakim director-general, Datuk Abdul Aziz Jusoh, sponsorship was given to four PhD students, eight master’s degree students and 188 bachelor’s degree students pursuing their studies locally, while the others are in universities in Egypt, Jordan and Indonesia.

       He said they are studying in different fields, including qira？at, medicine, pharmacy, engineering and education.

       "It’s difficult to get this sponsorship; students have to go through a selection process that includes academic performance and interviews.

       "Those who succeed are certainly the cream of the crop," said Abdul Aziz during a ceremony online joined by the 2021 scholarship beneficiaries today.

       He said SPH was created in 2012 to help huffaz students (who memorise all 30 juz of the Quran) attain high qualification and so far RM62mil in scholarships has been awarded to 1,177 students.

       On a related subject, Abdul Aziz said private tahfiz schools (for Quranic memorisation) have been increasing every year (with 1,483 registered so far), hence the government is working on streamlining their operation.

       He said the government wants them to be part of the national education system and "for tahfiz centres to be among the main choices of students and parents - no longer third choice after dropping out from school.

       "Tahfiz centres need to be steered towards producing students who are versatile to become leaders of the future." - Bernama