“In Turkish culture, throwing water behind someone who has completed memorizing the Quran (called a hafız) is a symbolic gesture with positive connotations. This act is rooted in a broader Turkish custom of throwing water after someone leaving on a journey, which carries the wish that their path be smooth and successful, like flowing water.

When applied to a hafız, throwing water signifies prayers for the person’s continued success and ease in maintaining and living by the Quran. It expresses hopes that the person’s knowledge of the Quran will flow easily, stay fresh, and be beneficial throughout their life. Essentially, it’s a way of wishing blessings and protection as they embark on the spiritual “journey” of being a hafız.”