The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Monday made a clarion call for the imam community to play a leading role in fulfilling people's aspiration for establishing real democracy and leadership of upright, competent and honest people in the country.

This is imperative to realize "the nation's dream of a justice-based enlightened society free from black money and corruption", he told an assembly the imams of mosques from across the country. Against the backdrop of incidents of violence in the past, the head of the caretaker government also urged them to always remain vigilant against terrorism, bomb blasting and extreme militancy.

He hoped that the imam and ulema community would remain determined to uphold Bangladesh's reputation as a liberal and non-communal country. The Chief Adviser made the call while inaugurating the Human Resource Development Related National Imam Conference 2007 organized at Osmani Memorial Auditorium by Religious Affairs Ministry and sponsored jointly by the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh and the UN population agency UNFPA.

UNFPA acting country Representative Pornchai Suchitta, Religious Affairs Secretary Md Ataur Rahman, Islamic Foundation Director General Md Fazlur Rahman and, on behalf of imams, Maulana Monirul Islam Rafique, Khatib Baitul Wahhab AC Jame Masjid, Halishahor, Chittagong also spoke on the occasion.

Religious Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (Rtd) Dr ASM Matiur Rahman presided over the function. Advisers and imams from various districts, among others, attended the function.

Under the UNFPA-funded project launched in 1999 about 37,000 imams have so far got training in various areas, including nursing, child health, safe motherhood, bad effect of dowry and child marriage, gender equity, awareness against social crimes and terrorism, prevention of spread of HIV/AIDS and control of diarrhoea, the function was informed. Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin distributed awards and certificates among the best imams in 2007 for various social contributions. He also distributed crests to three young Hafez persons of Bangladesh who won first prizes in international Hifzul Quran competition 2007 in Dubai, Libya and Egypt. Hafez Fazle Rabbi Adel attained first prize with a gold medal and cash award worth Tk 55 lakh in the Hifzul Quran Competition 2007 in Dubai, Hafez Sajeda Khatun won the first prize in the Hifzul Quran competition 2007 in Libya and Hafez Abdullah Al Mahmud stood first in the same competition in 2007 in Egypt.

In his speech, the Chief Adviser, whose interim government is carrying on a purge against serious crime and corruption in high places, hoped that the imams, along with other conscious and honest citizens, would take a tough stand and raise their voice against sins, wrongdoing and crimes in society.

They, he said, have to take the lead in building up strong mass opinion and strengthening public awareness against criminals, women repressors, narcotic addicts, smugglers, dishonest businessmen and the corrupt.

He hoped that imams at Friday Juma prayer Khutba and sermons in other Mahfils would put across the inhibition of the holy Quran regarding sin, serious crime and curse of corruption. "Give the lesson of Islam for becoming a real good person," he said.

He also told the imams to consider translating Khutba into Bengali alongside Arabic for easy understanding by the common man. He urged them to spread great teachings and tenets of Islam.