The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a discussion cum Iftar Mahfil yesterday said the wealthy persons in the society could form 'Jakat Fund' by their own initiatives for resolving the unemployment problem and poverty alleviation in the country.

" The holy Ramzan is the month of self purification, mutual sympathy and symbol of equity," they said at the function organised by the Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd (IBBL) at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.

M Fariduddin Ahmad, Managing Director, Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd delivered welcome speech.

Justice Syed JR Mudassir Husain, former Chief Justice was present as chief guest while Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Adbuz Zaher, Chairman, Board of Directors, Islami Bank Bangladesh presided over.

Shah Addul Hannan, former secretary of the government and ex chairman, Board of Directors, Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd presented the keynote paper on ' Role of Wafq, Micro Investment, Zakat and Usr in Poverty Alleviation'.

Dr Abdullah Bin Naser Al Bussairy, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the chief discussant.

" We need to streamlining the Zakat, Waqf, Usr and Micro Investment systems for poverty reduction in the country," they added.

They called upon the industrialists, businessmen and other professionals to come forward with positive attitude to reduce the abject poverty in the country.

Justice Syed JR Mudassir Husain urged the affluent people of the society to establish a balanced society in the country by performing the Zakat, Waqf, Usr and micro investment.

"Islamic Bank Bangladesh Ltd is playing a significant role in poverty alleviation through small investment in the rural areas," he mentioned.

He called upon the bank to make its ' Rural Development Project' more people welfare oriented.

Dr Abdullah Bin Naser Al Bussairy said the holy month of Ramzan gives us lessons to narrowing the wealth gap between the rich and poor.

"The rich people could get an understanding the sufferings of the poor people by observing fast in the month of Ramzan," he said.

Shah Addul Hannan said the poor people of the country would be benefited if the rich people could provide a lump sum of their financial wealth for 'Waqf' purpose.

He suggested bringing diversification in the policy of small investment through combining micro finance, Waqf charity and Zakat for poverty alleviation.

Moulana Muhammad Lutfur Rahman, Khatib, Islami Samaj Kalyan Samity Mosque, Mirpur, Dhaka, Abu Taher Mohammad Saleh, Executive Vice President of the bank, diplomats, businessmen, media persons and high government and private sectors officials also attended it among others.