Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A.F.M. Khalid Hossain has written to key government officials asking for the appointment of Dawra-e-Hadith certificate holders to various religious teaching positions and other posts.

On Tuesday, Dr Khalid Hossain issued three separate semi-official (DO) letters to the Education Adviser, Law Adviser, and Defense Secretary, according to sources at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

In his letter to Education Adviser Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, the Religious Affairs Adviser mentioned that the National Parliament passed the Al-Hayatul Ulaya Lil-Jami’atil Qawmia Bangladesh Act, 2018, granting Daura-e-Hadith (Takmeel) certificates from Qawmi madrasas the equivalent of a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies and Arabic. This was in line with a demand of the Hefazat e Islam, the alliance of Qawmi madrasahs of which the adviser is a vice president.

Despite the law’s passage and its publication in the Bangladesh Gazette, students of Qawmi institutions have yet to benefit from it,

“Delay in implementing the law is undermining its purpose and creating frustration among Qawmi students,” the adviser wrote, urging the Education Adviser to personally ensure the appointment of Dawra-e-Hadith certificate holders as assistant teachers (religion) in secondary and higher secondary schools.

Besides, Dr Khalid Hossain requested the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser to prioritise Dawra-e-Hadith certificate holders when issuing Nikah Registrar licences.

He also sent a letter to the Defense Secretary seeking the appointment of Dawra-e-Hadith certificate holders as religious teachers in the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force.