Stating that the justice and fairness, inspired by the ideals of Prophet Muhammad (SM), will guide his party’s governance if it returns to power, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday (November 23) sought support from imams, khatibs, muezzins and Islamic scholars for his party in the next national election.
“There was never any doubt about the Greatest Prophet’s fairness. InshAllah, BNP’s guiding principle in governing the country will be justice and fairness, upholding the Prophet’s ideals,” he said.
Speaking virtually at the National Conference of the Sammilito Imam-Khatib, the BNP leader also said his party wants to build an equitable Bangladesh based on justice inspired by the Prophet’s teachings.
“BNP seeks the prayers and support of all respected imams, khatibs, muezzins, Islamic scholars, alems and pir-mashaikh of the country in the upcoming election to build such a Bangladesh,” he said.
The BNP leader urged Islamic scholars and ulema to pray for his mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, for the leaders, workers and supporters of BNP, and for the people of the country.
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“May Allah grant me and our party the chance to carry out every righteous deed for the welfare of the nation and its people. For this, I seek your prayers, support and cooperation,” he added.
The conference, organised by the Sammilito Imam-Khatib Parishad, was held at the Bangladesh–China Friendship Conference Centre. Mufti Azharul Islam, the member-secretary of the conference committee, presented the seven-point demands of the imams and khatibs at the programme.
Tarique said the long one-and-a-half decades of Awami League’s oppressive rule once again proved that to protect religious faith, Islam, and the country’s independence and sovereignty, there is no alternative to unity. “So, the upcoming national election is extremely important and significant for consolidating the freedom of the country and its people,” he said.
Tarique recalled that during the BNP government in 1993, mosque-based child and mass education programmes were introduced for the first time in the country and continue to this day.
He said BNP also plans to involve imams and muezzins in future disaster prevention programmes and local development activities across all districts and upazilas.
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The BNP leader praised imams, khatibs and muezzins for their role as social reformers, saying, “Despite limitations, you have devoted your time to the moral and spiritual upliftment of society. BNP believes it is the state’s responsibility to provide financial support to those who are struggling.”
“I believe there is every possibility of fulfilling several of the demands you have presented on a priority basis. You have called for the formulation of service rules for imams, khatibs, and muezzins. This is a very logical demand,” he said.
In many mosques, Tarique said, the employment of imams and muezzins depends on the personal preferences of mosque committees.
“I think this should not happen…I consider this an unfair practice against imams and muezzins. If the BNP gets the opportunity to govern the state, we will take priority measures to introduce service rules for you. The BNP government will also take effective initiatives to implement the other demands that have been presented,” he said.
The BNP leader also urged the imams and khatibs to form multiple committees and submit specific recommendations on each of the demands to the BNP.
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Tarique also highlighted his party’s commitment to strengthening the Imam-Muezzin Welfare Trust and implementing projects to make mosque personnel more self-reliant.
“Guided by Islamic values, the BNP believes in a welfare-oriented society and state where Muslims can live according to the Qur’an and Sunnah without fear, and practise their religious duties safely and confidently,” he said.
At the same time, the BNP leader said, people of other faiths will also be free and secure in practising their own religions and cultures. “The BNP has never compromised on the core principles or beliefs of Islam, and, InshaAllah, never will.”
He said after independence, the Awami League drafted the constitution to suit their own interests, ignoring the aspirations of the majority.
When BNP founder President Ziaur Rahman later took charge, Tarique said he added ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim’ to the constitution and affirmed trust and faith in Almighty Allah. “The phrase ‘trust and faith in Almighty Allah’ is no longer kept in the constitution in its original form. Why has it been changed? I place this question before you today.”
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He said the BNP has always spoken out against any activity harmful to Islam or the interests of Muslims. “The fallen autocrat repeatedly tried to undermine Islam and Islamic culture in the state and society.”
In 2013, Tarique said, during the crackdown on thousands of Hefazat-e-Islam supporters at Shapla Chattar, the BNP stood by them and observed two days of hartal nationwide in protest against the massacre.
He said there are around 350,000 mosques in the country, where nearly 17 lakh imams, khatibs and muezzins serve. “Sustainable development is not possible while excluding lakhs of imams, khatibs, muezzins and madrasa students from national development activities.”
Speaking at the programme, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said if the BNP returns to power, no law will be enacted that goes against the Qur’an and Sunnah, and any such existing laws will be repealed.
The BNP leader said President Ziaur Rahman had inserted ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim’ into the constitution’s preamble, but it is no longer there, and the BNP will restore it in the future.