PM Hasina calls on Islamic scholars to work for peace at grassroots

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday called upon imams and Islamic scholars to work to maintain peace at the grassroots so everyone can practice their religions freely, describing Islam as a religion of peace, amity and humanity.

"We want cooperation from you (scholars and imams): You have to work for maintaining peace at the grassroots so we can develop the country further," she said while addressing the national imam council and prize-giving ceremony for 2023 as she opened 50 newly constructed model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in sixth phase across Bangladesh.

The religious affairs ministry organized the event at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj.

The prime minister handed out prizes to the winners in various overseas competitions.

Sheikh Hasina said the government wants the people of our country to live in peace and the development of the country to continue, adding that peace is a prerequisite to development.

She said there are people of other faiths in Bangladesh alongside Muslims, and her government wants to ensure an environment in which every person can practice their religion 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 everyone concerned, particularly imams, to make sure that no child in the country can get involved in militancy, terrorism and drug abuse, as Islam, which is a religion of peace, must not appear questionable due to the actions of some people.

Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Abdur Rahman Al-Bua'Yjan, imam of Masjid al-Nabawi in Madina, Saudi Arabia, at the event expressed his satisfaction with the establishment of 564 model mosques across the country and thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"I am very happy to join such a mahfil (Islamic council) – Allah will give the Prime Minister the ability to do well further," he said.

A documentary on the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres was screened at the function.

Source: BSS