Moon Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the Imams (Islamic scholars) to work for maintaining peace at the grassroots so everyone can perform their own religions freely, describing Islam as religion of peace, amity and humanity.
“We want cooperation from you (Alem, Olama and Imams). You have to work for maintaining peace at the grassroots so we can develop the country further,” she said.
The prime minister was addressing the National Imam Council and prize giving-2023 ceremony as she opened the newly constructed 50 more model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in sixth phase across the country.
The Religious Affairs Ministry organised the function at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Rupganj of Narayanganj.
The prime minister handed over prizes among the winners in various overseas competitions.
Sheikh Hasina said, “We want the people of our country to live in peace and the development of the country to continue,” adding that peace is prerequisite to the development.
She said there were people of other faiths in Bangladesh alongside the Muslim community and her government wants to ensure such environment where every people can exercise their own religions freely.
“We will perform our religious rituals while the people of other faiths will exercise their religions accordingly,” she said.
The prime minister called upon all concerned particularly the Imams to make sure that no children of the country can involve them in militancy, terrorism and drug addiction.
“Make sure that none of our children get involved in militancy, terrorism and drug addiction as the Islam which is a religion of peace, cannot be questionable due to some people,” she said.
Imam of the Holy Masjid-e Nabawi in Medina of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Abdur Rahman Al-Bua’Yjan spoke at the function.
While speaking, the Imam expressed his satisfaction over establishing 564 model mosques across the country and thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“I am very happy to join such a mahfil (Islamic council) — the Allah will give the Prime Minister ability to do well further,” he said.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the event, addressed, among others, by President of Bangladesh Tarikat Federation Syed Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari, Maulana Dr. Mohammad Kafiluddin Sarkar Salehi and Maulana Ehsanul Haq Al Mojaddedi, also spoke.
Secretary for Religious Affairs Ministry Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the address of welcome
An audio-visual documentary on the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres was screened at the function.
