Dhaka, March 14, 2026

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to build a peaceful country for people of all religions.

He said, ‘We are people of all religions sitting together today. I am in a row. This is the traditional Bangladesh of our time. Let no one create discord between us.

Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or Christians, believers-non-believers or skeptics, we will all be good together. The Prime Minister said this at the opening ceremony of honoring Imams, Muezzins, Khadem, Purohit, Sebayat, Bihar, Principal and Vice-Principal at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Saturday at 11:30 am. The program was inaugurated by handing over a check of honor to Imam Hussain Ahmed Abdullah of Baitul Rahman Central Mosque, Bogra. Later, by pressing the ‘Sent Button’ in the ibus system, the honorarium money is sent to the designated bank account.

Prime Minister Tariq Rahman said, “Financial support program for khatib, imam, muezzin and religious gurus of other religions has been launched from today. This assistance will be given periodically to all those who need it across the country.

The government will try with all the state’s ability to ensure the financial and social security of every class and profession and every citizen regardless of religion and caste. Highlighting some responsibilities of citizens, he said, ‘Citizens also have some responsibilities towards the state and society.

As citizens, if we fulfill our responsibilities towards the state and society from our respective positions, I hope that in the next 10 years, we will see a self-reliant Bangladesh politically and economically, Insha’Allah.

The Prime Minister said, ‘The government has launched the program of giving honorary allowances to respected leaders of various religions, Khatibs, Imams, Muezzins, under the first phase of this program, a total of 16 thousand 992 people from 4 thousand 908 mosques, 990 temples and 144 Buddhist monasteries are receiving monthly stipends.

All will be included under this program gradually. The main objective of these economic program initiatives of the government for people of various professions is to make the citizens economically self-reliant.

Calling on the people of the country, Tariq Rahman said, “If any of you want to involve yourself in various economic and social activities besides fulfilling your duties in the mosque or any religious place of worship, the government is ready to support you in the implementation of that initiative.”

An imam, khatib or religious representative will be included in each district law enforcement meeting. ‘ Stating that the state can never be strong by leaving the citizens weak, the Prime Minister said, ‘By ensuring the political and economic empowerment of every citizen of the country, we want to establish our country on such a strong foundation, that no fascism or Tabeda’s evil forces can take away people’s freedom. I say one thing again and again, the state can never be strong by leaving the citizens weak.’

Referring to the fact that “Imam Training Academy” was launched for the first time in the country during the government of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, the Prime Minister said that there are about three and a half lakh mosques in the country. We can make these mosques across the country centers of religious social and moral education programs.

The Imam Training Academy was launched for the first time in the country during the regime of martyred President Ziaur Rahman. He said, ‘In 1993, during the government of Begum Khaleda Zia, the ‘Masjid-based children and mass education’ program was launched in the country.

The current government is also taking a plan on how to use your qualifications for national development in addition to paying a fixed rate of honorarium to imams-muazzins.

Calling for religious, social and moral values, the Prime Minister said, ‘Economically prosperous state may ensure financial comfort in people’s lives but patience, honesty, gratitude, respect, loyalty, solidarity, tolerance, generosity, friendship, modesty, responsibility or kindness, a person cannot become complete human qualities without acquiring these characteristics. In order to acquire such human characteristics, it is necessary to inculcate religious, social and moral values.

“He who does not have trust, who does not have security, is not a true believer. The prime minister said, quoting from the holy hadith, “people get their pure life and mental guidance of healthy thinking from the behavior acquired from the state and society and the environment and surroundings.”

He said, these liberal teachings of religion are unmatched in building a safe society free of ‘revenge and violence’. I believe every religion has such a positive message to build a morally rich human society. So, the role of religiously knowledgeable people like you is very important in creating a mindset rich in religious, social and moral values.

The Prime Minister said that in addition to the welfare of this world, prayer for the welfare of the Hereafter is mentioned in the Holy Quran. These posthumous welfare directives are no doubt dictated by the religious regulations of other religions as well.

Therefore, in the light of religious rules, it is also important to continue thinking and trying how you can use your education, qualifications and experience more for the welfare of the country and people.

SOURCE: WSN24 AND NEWS AGENCIES