Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain on Saturday said that the demand for nationalising independent Ebtedayi Madrasahs by including them under the Monthly Pay Order is very logical.

He made the remark while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Discrimination against Ebtedayi Madrashas: The Path to Recovery,” organised by the Independent Ebtedayi Madrasah Teachers Forum at the National Press Club.

Inclusion under MPO would ensure government funds for these institutions to pay teachers' salaries and other expenses.

The adviser said, “If we cannot nurture the Ebtedayi Madrashas, the future of Islamic education in this country will be dark. Although the former prime minister announced the inclusion of 5,000 Ebtedayi Madrashas under MPO, it was not implemented for various reasons.”

He said, “Ebtedayi Madrashas are not under the Ministry of Religion, but under the Ministry of Education. There are teacher training institutes for government primary school teachers in this country. But there is no system for training Ebtedayi Madrasahs teachers… This is discrimination and this needs to be resolved.”

He agreed with the Independent Ebtedayi Madrasa Teachers Forum’s demands.

He advised the forum leaders to contact the education adviser regarding their demands. In addition, he assured the forum leaders of all possible cooperation on his behalf.

“The majority of citizens of Bangladesh are Muslims. There are also Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and small ethnic groups. Practicing religion, observing religion and propagating religion are the constitutional rights of all citizens,” he mentioned.

The adviser said, “Our history, tradition, faith and ideals of Quran and Sunnah must be included in the curriculum. Otherwise, our education system will remain incomplete.”

“Hindus, Buddhists and Christians will learn their religion. We have no objection to this. Similarly, Muslims should have the right to get education about the Quran, Sunnah and faith," he added.

He said, “There have been repeated conspiracies to shrink Islamic education in this country. This conspiracy will not continue in the future.”

Dr Muhammad Masudur Rahman Talukder, general secretary of the Independent Ebtedayi Madrasha Teachers Forum, presented the written article and the forum presented seven-point demands, including nationalisation of independent Ebtedayi Madrashas like primary schools.

The meeting was chaired by Independent Ebtedayi Madrasa Teachers Forum Central President Sheikh Nazrul Islam Mahbub and Maulana Syed Mosaddek Billah Al Madani, member of the Islamic Foundation, addressed as the special guest.