By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka : Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Friday said her government wants to turn the country’s mosques as the central point of offering prayers as well as all welfare activities.
She said like her previous 1996-2001 government the present government has also been implementing elaborate mosque-based programs, which will be expanded across the country in future.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the newly constructed Minar, extended prayer room for women and other installations of the Baitul Mokkarram National Mosque in the capital Friday morning.
Referring to the country’s about three lakh mosques, Sheikh Hasina said the Imams and the Muazzins of these mosques can play more effective role for the welfare of the people and the society.
About the expansion of pre-primary education in the country utilizing the infrastructure of the mosques, she said that her government has already approved Taka 643.55 crore to mosque-based mass education projects to this end.
Under the projects, job opportunities for 38,000 Imams and Ulemas have been created while lakhs of students got chances to pursue their studies, Sheikh Hasina added.
Expressing satisfaction over the renovation of Baitul Mokkarram Mosque, she said that her government is working relentlessly for spreading Islamic education for moral development of the students.
Describing Islam as the religion of peace and harmony, she said there is no room for chaos, anarchy, hostility and extremism in Islam.
But, she regretted that a vested group, by their misdeeds, is identifying Islam as a supporter of fanaticism which ultimately tarnishing the image of Islam before the global
community.
The Prime Minister called upon the Islamic scholars and the Musallis to be vigil against those evil forces who are trying to mislead the innocent religious people by misinterpreting Islam.
Royal Saudi government provided financial assistance for the Baitul Mokkarram Mosque beautification, renovation and extension project that cost over Taka 27 crore.
Under the project, a new 170 feet high Minar and new prayer spaces were constructed at the southern plaza of the mosque.
Over 20,000 Musallis will now be able to offer prayers together at the new space while over 5,600 female can also offer prayers at the ground floor.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shahjahan Miah presided over the inaugural function when Deputy Finance Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Muhammad Bin Saleh Al-Gifaili was present as special guest.
Islamic scholars, religious leaders, officials of Saudi Embassy, musallis and high officials were present on the occasion.