KUALA NERUS: The inability to meet the safety standards set by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department is among the reasons many tahfiz centres in the country remain unregistered, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the issue is particularly concerning, especially if an incident occurs that endangers the lives of students.
"There are 1,199 registered tahfiz centres nationwide, producing 125,000 huffaz (Muslims who have memorised the Quran). However, there are many more unregistered tahfiz centres because they are unable to comply with conditions set by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department.
"This raises concerns if a fire or any other incident occurs, as we have seen in the past with the tahfiz centre in Keramat (Kuala Lumpur) where many students were trapped in a fire, he said after officiating the launch of the Terengganu Community Development Department (Kemas) pre-tahfiz programme at Dewan Sultan Mizan Universiti Malaysia Terengganu here on Saturday (July 13).
In other developments, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said that over 140,000 students from Kemas preschools across the country could become young huffaz by 2026 through the Pre-Tahfiz Programme.
He said the Pre-Tahfiz Programme, which officially began this year, not only injects the concept of holistic Islam at the early education level but also prepares students to face the challenges of the digital and technological world.
"We see children as young as two years old whose parents hand them smartphones to calm them when they are upset and crying. Eventually, these children end up playing games.
"If children are not taught the knowledge of the Quran, our concern with advanced technology, including AI (artificial intelligence), is that they may receive incorrect information," he said.
The Kemas Pre-Tahfiz Programme aims to enhance Quranic education in addition to the existing module (Islamic Appreciation Programme) at Kemas preschools.
It is also part of the strategic direction of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry for 2023 to develop comprehensive rural human capital and strengthen Quranic education for children. – Bernama
