Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated 50 model mosques along with Islamic cultural centres, in the second phase. She inaugurated the mosques — located in different parts of the country — joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban. Read more: PM Hasina urges affluent section to stand by destitute people According to ministry information, the mosques and Islamic cultural centres are located at Bhanga upazila and Nagarkanda in Faridpur; Kapasia in Gazipur; Sadar upazila in Gopalganj; Sadar upazila, Katiadi in Kishoreganj; Gior upazila, Saturia in Manikganj; Sadar upazila, Monohardi in Narsingdi; Goalanda upazila in Rajbari; District headquarters, Bhedarganj upazila in Shariatpur; Dhunot upazila, Nondigram in Bogra; Niamatpur upazila in Naogaon; Baraigram upazila in Natore; Sadar upazila in Chapainawabganj; Bhangura and Sujanagar upazila in Pabna; Kazipur in Sirajganj; Rajshahi City Corporation; Gangachara and Kaunia in Rangpur; Sadar upazila in Thakurgaon; Sadar upazila in Sherpur; District headquarters in Pirojpur; Sadar upazila and Kasba in Brahmanbaria; Sadar upazila and Manikchari in Khagrachhari; Chandina and Chauddagram in Comilla; Rupsha in Khulna; Khoksa and Bheramara in Kushtia; District headquarters and Gangni in Meherpur; Debhata in Satkhira; Gowainghat in Sylhet; District headquarters and Jagannathpur in Sunamganj; and Chunarughat in Habiganj district. These model mosques include separate places for ablution and prayers, and are air-conditioned. Besides, there will be registration and training arrangements for Hajj pilgrims, Imam training centre, research centre and Islamic library, corner for people with special needs, place for burial ritual, car parking facility, hifzakhana, pre-primary education and Quran learning arrangement, conference room for Islamic cultural activities and Islamic dawat, Islamic books sales centre, boarding facility for local and foreign guests along with the mosques. Earlier, on June 10, 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first phase of 50 model mosques, out of total 564, simultaneously across the country, aimed at preaching the true messages of Islam and to eliminate religious misconceptions. Read more: AL always fulfills election pledges made to the nation: PM Hasina The purpose of the project is enhancing Islamic brotherhood and its values as well as disseminating the essence of Islam against extremism and militancy. Under category A, some 69 four-storey mosques with the elevator facility and a floor space of 2,360.09 square metres each are being constructed in 64 districts and city corporation areas. Under category B, 475 mosques are being built with a floor space of 1680.14 square metres each, while 16 mosques under C category in coastal areas will have a floor space of 2,052.12 square metres each.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday hoped that the model mosques will help spread the essence of Islam and its inspirational practices and culture to all irrespective of their religions and castes. “The culture and messages of Islam will have an enormous attention of all through these model mosques. The people of the country, irrespective of their religions and castes, will be able to comprehend the essence of Islam,” she said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the inaugural function of 50 luminous model mosques newly-constructed across the country, fulfilling one of her election pledges. Read: Hasina inaugurates 50 spectacular model mosques She opened the 50 model mosques virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban on the occasion of the Mujib Year. The landmark mosques have been built as part of the government’s move to set up 560 such mosques-cum-centres of excellence at district and upazila levels, aiming to spread Islamic fraternity, real Islamic values and practices, conduct research, create strong infrastructures for prayers for both men and women, provide religious teaching and training and enhance public awareness against social diseases. Hasina said Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country. “So, it’s essential that Islamic rituals and values are practised here properly in addition to promotion of Islamic culture.” “We’ve already completed the construction of 50 mosques, out of 560, so that Bangladesh can also substantially contribute to preaching and spreading of our holy religion – Islamic - in the future,” she said. The Prime Minister said today is really a delightful and glorious day as Bangladesh has emerged as a developing country following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who had served a lot for Islam and set up the Islamic Foundation. She called upon all to be more conscious and mindful to keep this society free from the curses of child marriage, dowry, violence against women, and drugs. “You’ll have to create awareness against these (social menaces). We’ve built these model mosques in that way.”     Hasina said urged Islamic scholars (Ulema), teachers and guardians to make efforts to keep the young generation away from the path of militancy as it tarnishes the image of the holy Islam. Read:PM to inaugurate 50 model mosques on Thursday She said militancy has been allowed to grow in the name of Islam. “Killing people and unleashing militancy in the name of Islam were seen not only in Bangladesh but also elsewhere in the world.” Mentioning that the militants believe that they will go to the heaven by killing people, Hasina said, “Can anyone say who has made his or her way into the heaven by killing people? No one can say that. But they (militants) have badly damaged the image of the holy Islam.” Stressing that Islam is the best religion in the world, she said, the most unfortunate matter is that a handful of people has given a bad name to the holy religion by creating militancy, killing people and blasting bombs. “It not only undermines the sanctity of our religion but also tarnishes its image throughout the country,” she added. The Prime Minister said Islam is the most tolerant religion as it allows all to enjoy their rights and teaches for treating all people as human beings. Referring to the glorious history of Muslims in knowledge and science, she said the Muslims had once been the progressive community in the practice of knowledge in every sector. “But why’re the Muslims lagging behind today?” she said. State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, joining it from Osmani Memorial Auditorium here. Later, Hasina heard speeches from devotees virtually from model mosques in Khulna, Rangpur and Sylhet. On April 5, 2018, Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the construction of Model Mosques and Islamic Cultural Centres involving Tk 8,722 crore. Read: Model mosques: A unique Mujib Borsho gift

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday opened 50 luminous model mosques newly-constructed across the country, fulfilling one of her election pledges. The landmark mosques have been built as part of the government’s move to set up 560 such mosques-cum-centres of excellence at district and upazila levels, aiming to spread Islamic fraternity, real Islamic values and practices, conduct research, create strong infrastructures for prayers for both men and women, provide religious teaching and training and enhance public awareness against social diseases. Read: PM to inaugurate 50 model mosques on Thursday The Prime Minister opened the 50 model mosques virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban on the occasion of the Mujib Year. State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, joining it from Osmani Memorial Auditorium here. The 50 mosques are at Savar upazila in Dhaka, Madhukhali and Saltha upazilas in Faridpur; Pakundia and Kuliarchar upazilas in Kishoreganj; Shivalaya upazila in Manikganj; Rajbari sadar upazila, Shariatpur sadar and Gosairhat upazilas, Shariakandi, Sherpur and Kahaloo upazilas in Bogura, Sapahar and Porsha upazilas in Naogaon; Sirajganj sadar upazila, Chatmohar upazila in Pabna; Godagari and Paba upazilas in Rajshahi; Khansama and Birol in Dinajpur, Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat; Panchagarh sadar and Debiganj upazilas; Rangpur sadar upazila; Mithapukur, Pirgonj and Badargonj upazilas, Haripur upazila in Thakurgaon; Subarnachar upazila in Noakhali, Gafargaon and Tarakanda upazilas in Mymensingh; Lohagara, Mirsarai and Sandwip upazilas in Chittagong, Jamalpur sadar and Islampur upazilas; Nabinagar and Bijoynagar upazilas in Brahmanbaria, Bhola sadar, Dakshinsurma upazila in Sylhet; Daudkandi upazil in Cumilla, Panchari upazila in Khagrachhari; Kushtia sadar, Khulna; Kachua upazila in Chandpur; Rajapur upazila in Jhalakathi and Chuadanga sadar upazila. Read:6-points anniversary: Bangladesh to keep advancing with dignity, says PM