Prime Minister Tarique Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s long-standing tradition of communal harmony and urged people of all religions to work together to build a safe and peaceful country.
“Today, we, people of all religions, are sitting together here in one row. This is the timeless tradition of our Bangladesh. No one should be allowed to create divisions among us,” he said.
“Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians—together we will build a peaceful Bangladesh. We will build a safe state and a safe society for all, which is expected by people of all classes and professions,” he added.
The prime minister, also chairman of the ruling BNP, made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the monthly honorarium scheme for imams, muazzins and khadems of mosques, as well as heads and assistant heads of other religious institutions across the country.
At the function held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital, he formally launched the programme by pressing a button on the IBAS system to transfer honorariums to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the EFT system under a pilot scheme.
According to the prime minister, a total of 16,992 religious leaders from 4,908 mosques, 990 temples and 144 Buddhist monasteries began receiving monthly honorariums from today under the first phase of the programme.
He said the initiative would gradually be expanded to include all eligible religious leaders across the country, adding that the main objective of the programme is to help people from different professions become economically self-reliant.
Tarique Rahman also encouraged religious leaders to participate in economic and social activities alongside their religious duties and assured them of the government’s support.
He further announced that one imam, khatib or religious leader from other faiths will be included in law and order committees at every district and upazila.
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the event as the guest of honour, while Prime Minister’s Adviser for Public Administration Md Ismail Zabiullah was present as special guest. Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) presided over the function.
Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad delivered the welcome speech.
Among others who spoke at the programme were Shaykh-e-Charmonai Mufti Syed Fayzul Karim, Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Mufti Muhibbullahil Baki, Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Saiful Islam, Khatib of Dhanmondi Taqwa Mosque, valiant freedom fighter Uday Sankar Chakraborty, General Secretary of Sri Ramakrishna Ashram Kurigram, Dharma Mitra Mahathero, Head of the International Buddhist Monastery in Dhaka, and Archbishop of Dhaka Bejoy N D’Cruze.
Highlighting citizens’ responsibilities, the prime minister said that if people properly fulfil their duties toward the state and society, Bangladesh could become politically and economically self-reliant within the next decade.
He stressed that a strong state depends on empowered citizens. “If citizens are kept weak, the state can never be strong,” he said.
Referring to past initiatives, Tarique Rahman said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had first established the Imam Training Academy in the country. He added that there are about 350,000 mosques across Bangladesh, along with many religious institutions of other faiths.
The government, he said, aims to turn these mosques and religious institutions into centres of religious, social and moral education.
He also recalled that during the government of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia in 1993, the Mosque-based Children and Mass Education programme was introduced.
The premier said the government is planning to utilise the capabilities of religious leaders not only through honorariums but also through greater involvement in national development initiatives.
Emphasising moral values, he said economic prosperity alone cannot make a person complete without qualities such as patience, honesty, gratitude, respect, tolerance, solidarity and responsibility.
He said teachings from all religions promote peace and moral values and play an important role in building a safe society free from violence and hatred.
After concluding his speech, the prime minister took part in a photo session with beneficiaries on the stage.
