KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today urged religious schools (tahfiz) still not registered with the religious authorities of their states to do so immediately.
He said it would be difficult for the authorities to monitor and maintain standards at tahfiz schools if they are not registered.
"We need to protect the welfare of our children who go to these schools. Therefore, they must be registered," he said at the opening of the 30,000 Huffaz Assembly at the Federal Territory Mosque here.
As of April this year, 519 tahfiz schools have been registered nationwide.
On a related matter, Zahid said the government wishes to produce 125,000 professional 'huffaz' (scholar who has memorised the Quran) in the next 30 years.
"Hopefully, they will one day lead the country by becoming economists and politicians, (perhaps even) the future Prime Minister," he added.