ZCZC
BSS-17
PM-MOSQUE-SPEECH-2-LAST-DHAKA
The Prime Minister said she is feeling delighted that these model mosques would preach true messages of Islam and disseminate culture of Islam and finally people from both home and abroad could realize the true essence of Islam.
Besides, religious education, training, Din-E-Dawah activities etc would also be conducted from these mosques alongside building awareness against terrorism-militancy, violence against women as well, she said.
Denouncing terrorism and militancy, Sheikh Hasina said a quarter is creating militancy and killing people in the name of Islam aiming to go to heaven. “My question is who went to heaven through this killing, can anyone say?” she said.
But, these quarters of people have damaged most to the holy Islam, a religion of peace, she noted.
“I believe Islam is the best religion in the world, but irony is that a certain quarter of people are stigmatizing Islam through creating militancy, killing people. It’s not only damaging the serenity of Islam, but also destroying Image of Islam across the globe,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina urged the Islamic scholars, guardians, teachers, political leaders and activists to play role in keeping away the youths from the destructive paths such as militancy and terrorism.
Mentioning that construction of mosques across the country was her party’s (Awami League) election manifesto, she said they have materialized it following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She also recalled different initiatives taken by the Bangabandhu for Islam such as establishment of Islamic Foundation and Madrasha Education Board, ban of horse race and gambling, ban of liquor through enacting law, allocation of land for Bishwa Ijtema and Tablig’s Markaz in Tongi and Kakrail respectively, recitation of Holy Quran in the beginning and end of programme in Betar and Bangladesh Television, establishment of diplomatic relations with Muslim worlds and attaining of OIC membership etc.
The Prime Minister said her government has introduced mosque-based education and allocated a special grant to it. In addition, they also established a welfare trust for Imam-Muazzin, acknowledged Qawmi Madrasha and provided financial assistance to Imam-Muazzin during Covid-19 pandemic, she added.
She said they have translated and digitized the Holy Quaran in Bangla, English and Arabic to make it accessible among the people.
Sheikh Hasina went on saying her government has made the Hajj related information available using modern technology and developed mobile applications for easy pre-enrollment of hajj pilgrims.
The Awami League both in power and opposition always tried to do something better for the Hajj pilgrims, she added.
The 50 mosques are located at Savar upazila in Dhaka, Madhukhali and Saltha upazilas in Faridpur, Pakundia and Kuliarchar upazilas in Kishoreganj, Shibaloy 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 district and 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 district, sadar upazila, Mithapukur, Pirgonj and Badargonj upazilas, Haripur upazila in Thakurgaon, Subarnachar upazila in Noakhali, Gafargaon and Tarakanda upazilas in Mymensingh, Chattogram district, Lohagara, Mirsharai and Sandwip upazilas, Jamalpur sadar and Islampur upazilas, Nabinagar and Bijoynagar upazilas in Brahmanbaria, Bhola sadar, Dakshinsurma upazila in Sylhet, Daudkandi upazil in Comilla, Panchari upazila in Khagrachhari, Kushtia sadar, Khulna district, Kachua upazila in Chandpur, Rajapur upazila in Jhalakathi and Chuadanga sadar upazila.
Imbued with the spirit of Islam and following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has come up with the idea of constructing the 560 model mosques across the country involving Taka 8,722 crore.
Under the category A, some 69 four-storey mosques having 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.
BSS/MAK/RY/1525hrs