After the current president took over the helm of the country, the lack of Quran competitions and development of Hafizes is the country has slowed down to a halt according to Dr Shaheem.
In a Facebook post made by Dr Shaheem, he stated that the spread of Quranic knowledge and the development of professional receptors was always part of the tradition of the county regardless of regime changes. He expressed his concern over the lack of competitions and developmental programs conducted by the current ministry and government. He further noted that this is a key fundamental aspect of Islam and followers must practice accordingly and that it saddens him that the government is not encouraging this through their programs.
He also stated that the longest-running Quran competition, the National Quran Competition has not yet been conducted this year and other competitions involving more participants and school children have also faded out of the public eye. Stressing on the fact that the Quran commission did not have an authoritative figurehead for almost a year now, he urged the government to step up and start work on this crucial matter.
Dr Shaheem stated that under his leadership at the ministry he had successfully completed programs training over 500 Maldivians in reciting the Quran by heart and he hopes that reform is brought to this area of importance and strategise and develop the craft of reciting Quran as perfectly as it is meant to be.