Govt to engage religious leaders for nat’l dev
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday revealed that the government is working on a plan to utilise the talents of religious leaders from various faiths to contribute to the country’s development.
Speaking at the inauguration of the monthly honorarium programme for imams, muezzins, and priests at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, Tarique Rahman said the BNP government has started implementing all election promises even before the ink on voters’ fingers has dried, reports media.
He cited the launch of the family card, the upcoming farmer card from Pohela Boishakh, and the canal excavation project set to begin in Dinajpur on 16 March.
The prime minister stressed the government’s commitment to politically and economically empower every citizen to build a strong foundation for the nation. He warned against any fascist forces or their affiliates attempting to undermine people’s freedom or right to speak.
“Our initiatives across social classes aim to make citizens economically self-reliant,” he said.
Tarique Rahman highlighted the unity of Bangladesh’s diverse religious communities, saying, “Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians have sat together since time immemorial. No one should create division among us. Together, we will build a peaceful and secure Bangladesh for all.”
He expressed the hope that all religious groups can live harmoniously and urged everyone to work together to build the country.
He also underlined the importance of strengthening citizens politically and economically.
He said, “A state can never be strong if its citizens are weak. Our vision is to gradually empower Bangladesh’s people to build a strong nation.”
Addressing the religious leaders, he referenced the Quran’s guidance to pray for the welfare of this life and the hereafter, noting that similar teachings exist in other religions.
He encouraged leaders to continue using their knowledge, training, and experience for the welfare of the nation and its people.
He added that while economic prosperity ensures financial comfort, virtues such as patience, honesty, gratitude, respect, loyalty, harmony, tolerance, generosity, friendship, humility, responsibility, and compassion are essential for true humanity.
Under the pilot phase of the honorarium programme, 4,908 mosques, 990 temples, and 144 Buddhist monastery have begun receiving monthly honorariums for their leaders. The prime minister pledged to gradually include all eligible religious institutions in the programme.
Religious leaders benefiting from the initiative thanked the government for delivering on election promises within one month of taking office. However, Catholic priests declined the honorarium, citing religious restrictions.
