Desk Report:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to build a peaceful and humane Bangladesh based on mutual harmony and coexistence of people of all religions in the country. He said that the tradition of Bangladesh is the coexistence of people of different religions and mutual respect. Everyone must be vigilant so that no evil force can create division in this unity.
He made these remarks as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the program to present honorarium to imams, muezzins, khadems, priests, servicemen and religious leaders of Buddhist monasteries at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Saturday (March 14, 2026) at 11:15 am.
At the program, the Prime Minister formally inaugurated the program by handing over the honorarium check to Imam Hossain Ahmed Abdullah of Baitul Rahman Central Mosque in Bogra. Later, the honorarium amount was also sent directly to the bank accounts of the concerned by pressing the ‘Send’ button through the IBUS system.
The Prime Minister said that the government’s financial assistance program for imams, khatibs, muezzins and other religious leaders has officially started from today. In phases, responsible persons of all places of worship in the country will be brought under this assistance. She said that the government’s goal is to ensure the social and economic security of citizens regardless of religion or caste.
She said that along with the development of the state, citizens must also play a responsible role. She expressed hope that if everyone fulfills their responsibilities from their respective positions, Bangladesh will become more politically and economically self-reliant within the next decade.
According to government information, in the first phase of the program, a total of 16,992 religious service providers from 4,908 mosques, 990 temples and 144 Buddhist monasteries are receiving monthly honorarium as a pilot project. Many more places of worship in the country will be included in this program step by step.
The Prime Minister said that in addition to performing religious duties, imams and religious leaders can also get involved in social and economic activities if they want, and the government is ready to cooperate in that regard. He also said that an initiative is being taken to include a religious representative in every district’s law and order meeting.
He further said that no state can be strong without strengthening its citizens. Through the political and economic empowerment of the people, a strong Bangladesh must be built, where no tyranny or evil force can take away the freedom of the people.
Highlighting the importance of religious education, the Prime Minister said that a prosperous society cannot be built without morality, honesty, tolerance, generosity and human values. Religious education plays an important role in achieving these qualities. She called on religious leaders to play an active role in awakening positive values in the society.
She further mentioned that the first ‘Imam Training Academy’ was established in the country during the tenure of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and later, the ‘Mosque-Based Children and Mass Education’ program was launched in 1993 during the Khaleda Zia government. The current government is also working on a plan to develop the skills of religious leaders and involve them in social welfare activities.
Representatives of various religious institutions in the country, officials from relevant ministries, and invited guests were present at the event.
