The death of 11-year-old Mohd Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi has put the spotlight on tahfiz schools - Islamic religious schools also known as ‘sekolah pondok’ - which have been common in the countryside but are gaining popularity in urban centres as well.

Mohd Thaqif Amin, who studied at Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Jauhar in Kota Tinggi, Johor, had both his legs amputated due to bacteria infection following beatings on his leg by the school's warden, who was an ex-convict. The boy died on Wednesday.

Malaysiakini spoke to parents who send their children to tahfiz schools, which among others train students to memorise the Quran, to find out why these schools are becoming an increasingly popular choice...