ZCZC
BSS-47
HASAN-ALEM-ISLAM-DISCUSSION
Ill-users of religion are enemies of real alems: Hasan
DHAKA, May 27, 2021 (BSS)- Sharply criticising the ill-users of religion, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said those who use religious sentiment to serve political and individual’s interests are the enemies of genuine alems (religious scholars).
“The true alems have no political interest. They only pray to Allah and give sermons to guide the common people into the right path. But today some so-called alems are busy with serving their own interest capitalising on religious sentiment,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion on anarchy in the name of religion, anti-religious activities of so-called religious leaders and Islam as a religion of peace, organised by Bangladesh United Islami Party (BUIP), at the conference room of Islamic Foundation at Baitul Mukarram in the capital.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan and Jatiya Party presidium member Kazi Md Mamunur Rashid addressed the discussion as special guests with BUIP chairman Maulana Md Ismail Hossain in the chair.
Hasan said lists of illegal wealth of Babunagari and Mamunul Haque have come out. They have collected toll from different persons at home and abroad by showing madrashas and they use to visit resorts with other’s wife for entertainment, he added.
“Even, they deposited the money of Jakat and Fitra to their own accounts for leading a lavish life. Are they Alems?,” said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
The minister said, “There is no other vehicle except one for police protection which was allocated for me as the minister. But there were about 10 vehicles when Mamunul Haque went somewhere. How he got the money? Does he have any industry or business? Their business is to collect toll by showing madrashas. The persons who do this work are the enemies of Islam.”
He said those persons are enemies of Islam who burned the houses of commoners, land offices and vehicles of fire brigade in the name of religion.
He said there are more enemies of Islam who have been arrested. It is needed to unmask those people after identifying them, he added.
The minister urged the Alems to unmask those manipulators.
Hasan said BNP didn’t do anything for Alems and Ulemas when they were in power. But, the Awami League government did many works for them (Alems and Olemas) and will do the same in future also, he added.
He said many projects are being implemented through Islamic Foundation founded by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has recognised the certificate of Qawmi Madrasha and gave government jobs to them, he added.
The minister said 560 model mosques and about 84 thousands mosque-based Makthabs have been established across the country. Every Alem of Makthabs are receiving Taka 5,500 as allowance, he added.
About Israel, Hasan expressed Bangladesh’s firm stance on the Israeli issue, and said the country (Bangladesh) will not budge an inch from the Bangabandhu’s policy on this issue.
Faridul, in his speech, said the government didn’t arrest any alems. The law enforcers arrested those terrorists who were involved in carrying out anarchy on the days of golden jubilee of Independence and birth centenary of Bangabandhu.
Islamic Foundation Governing Board member Dr Mufti Maulana Kafil Uddin Sarker Salehi addressed the discussion as the key speaker while BUIP secretary general Shaikhul Hadis Maulana Mufti Shahadat Hossain addressed it.
Later, a doa mahfil was held for peace and prosperity of the country.
BSS/Asg/PSB/KU/1952 HRS