PM inaugurates construction works of nine model mosques

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has been making constant efforts to establish the fact that Islam is a religion of peace and make people aware of the real lessons of Islam. 

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the construction works of nine model mosques and Islamic cultural centres to be built in different places of the country under a government project.

The project is be implemented aiming to build one mosque and cultural centre in each district and upazila. 

The premier inaugurated the construction work through video-conference from her Gonobhaban residence here.

Urging all to make their efforts so that people can realise the real teaching of Islam and practice the real rituals of the religion, she said it is the prime objective of the model mosque project. 

Under the project, a total of 560 mosques will be constructed across the country. In first phase, the model mosques will be built at Tungipara, Chattogram, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Jhalokathi, Khulna, Bogura, Noakhali and Rangpur.

Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matiur Rahman, among others, spoke on the occasion while Religious Affairs secretary Anisur Rahman gave a presentation on different aspects of the projects. 

Leader of the Opposition Rowshan Ershad spoke on the occasion from Mymensingh while president of Bangladesh Imam Samity Qazi Shaker Ahmed took part in the discussion from Chattogram.

The Prime Minister said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had 
established Bangladesh Islamic Foundation for proper preaching of Islam in addition to taking many other steps. After his killing, she said, Bangladesh has gone backward in every arena.

Sheikh Hasina said a section of misguided people is tarnishing the image of Islam. "But, we want to uphold the real dignity of our religion as a religion of peace and keep up peace in the society."

Bangladesh is an abode of the people of different religion, the prime minister said, so every person would observe religious rites freely and it was the dream of the Father of the Nation. 

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu advocated for secularism to ensure religious rights of every person. "Secularism does not mean lack of religious faith. Secularism means religious freedom and it is the main spirit of Islam," she said. 

"We want to build Bangladesh in this way...where secularism will prevail in the heart of the people to facilitate them to observe their religious rights in right way," the premier said. 

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Kader, Chief Coordination on SDG Affairs at Prime Minister Office Abul Kalam Azad, religious affairs secretary of Awami League Sheikh Md Abdullah, director general of Bangladesh Islamic Foundation Shameem Afzal and noted Islamic scholar Farid Uddin Masud were present. 

Later, a prayer was offered seeking successful implementation of the project as well as peace, prosperity of the country and its people. Pesh Imam of Baitul Mokarram National Mosque Hafez Minazur Rahman conducted the munajat. 

The Prime Minister also exchanged views with government officials, Imams and cross section people of Mymensingh, Noakhali, Sylhet, Chattogram, Jhalkathi, Khulna and Bagura.

Source: bss