President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said the government will encourage Quran education and practice while ensuring due recognition and honour for Hafez and students who achieve international recognition.

He made the remarks when the winners of the 46th King Abdul Aziz International Holy Quran Competition met him at Bangabhaban in the afternoon.

President said it is a matter of immense pride and joy for the nation that Bangladeshi contestants had achieved such success competing against participants from 133 countries.

He congratulated the winners, their teachers, guardians and educational institutions for the remarkable achievement.

Recalling various initiatives taken by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to strengthen religious practice and institutions, Mirza Fakhrul said the present government is also committed to expanding religious education and ensuring due respect for Hafez and Alem.

The winners, along with their guardians and teachers, thanked the President for inviting them to Bangabhaban.

They said honouring talented students, Hafez and Alem from madrasahs, maktabs and other religious educational institutions will encourage people to pursue Quranic and religious education. 

They also urged the government to take initiatives in this regard and ensure due recognition for Hafez who bring honour to Bangladesh internationally.

The President said the people of Bangladesh are religious-minded and the majority of the population is Muslim.

He noted that the people of the country have made significant sacrifices in the past to uphold their religious values.

As Bangladesh has entered a new journey through various changes, the government will continue to work with importance on expanding and improving the quality of religious education, he added.

The delegation, led by Maulana Md Billal Hossain, chairman of Quran Education Mission Bangladesh, included Hafez Mohammad Zakaria of Ar-Raihan International Madrasah, who secured first place in the 15 Para Hifz, Tajweed and Beautiful Recitation category; Hafeza Rabeta Binte Ramadan of Tanzimul Ummah Girls Hifz Madrasah, who secured third place in the same category; visually impaired Hafez Sheikh Md Mahmudul Hasan (Ashrafi) of Markazul Madina Madrasah, who secured third place in the 30 Para Hifz, Tajweed and Beautiful Recitation category; and Hafeza Musfira Binte Mahmud of Sauda Binte Jamah (RA) International Girls Madrasah.

The guardians, teachers and directors of Quran Education Mission Bangladesh were also present.

At the programme, the President presented presidential crests to the winning Hafez and courtesy gifts to their family members and teachers.

The President’s secretaries and senior officials were also present at the meeting.