Saudi Arabia has generously donated 25,500 copies of the Holy Quran (Mushaf) to the Maldives, further consolidating the longstanding relationship between the two nations and strengthening the country’s religious and social infrastructure. A special ceremony was held on Thursday at the Islamic Centre auditorium in Malé to officially hand over the Mushafs. The event was attended by the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Maldives, His Excellency Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani, Deputy Ambassador H.E. Faisa Alshehli, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. The high-level participation from both sides underscored the depth of cooperation between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia in religious, social, and broader developmental spheres.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support to the Maldivian people. He highlighted that the donation reflects the close and enduring relationship between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives, built on shared faith, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation. The Minister also extended his appreciation to Ambassador Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani, Deputy Ambassador Faisa Alshehli, and the Embassy staff for their consistent engagement with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and their role in facilitating projects that directly benefit local communities.
The donated Mushafs include a significant number of large-sized copies, which are scheduled for distribution to Quran memorisation classes, mosques, and Islamic centres across the country. This will directly enhance access to quality printed Qurans for students, teachers, and worshippers in both urban and island communities. The initiative is expected to have positive spillover effects on the Maldives’ service and tourism ecosystem as well, as many resorts and guesthouses maintain prayer facilities and employ staff from local islands who will benefit from improved religious resources at home. By strengthening Quran education and religious facilities on the islands, the donation indirectly supports the Maldives’ positioning as a leading Muslim-friendly destination where the spiritual well-being of both residents and visitors is respected and facilitated.
Notably, this latest consignment brings the total number of Qurans donated by Saudi Arabia to the Maldives this year to 50,500 copies, reflecting a consistent and structured support programme rather than a one-off gesture. For a country with a dispersed island geography and a population heavily engaged in sectors such as tourism, fisheries, and services, such large-scale donations help ensure that mosques, Islamic centres, and Quran classes in even the most remote communities have access to standardised, high-quality Mushafs.
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