Government to Promote Quranic Education: President

President Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the government will honour Quran Hafezes and students who win international awards. He said it will also work to encourage more Quran learning and practice. He said this yesterday at noon, when the winners of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Holy Quran Competition met him at Bangabhaban. The President’s Press Wing shared this in a press release.

The President said it is a matter of great pride and joy for the nation that Bangladeshi contestants did so well against competitors from 133 countries. He warmly congratulated the winners, their teachers and ustads, their guardians and everyone at their institutions for this rare success. He also recalled the many steps that martyred President Mr. Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Ms. Khaleda Zia took to keep religious practice and religious institutions active and strong. He said the present government is also committed to spreading religious education and giving Hafezes and Alems their due respect.

The winners thanked the President for inviting their guardians and teachers to Bangabhaban. They said people will feel more encouraged to learn the Quran and religious studies if the government honours talented students, Hafezes and Alems from madrasas and maktabs. They asked the government to take steps in this direction. They also demanded due respect and dignity for the Hafezes who bring pride to the country at the international level.

The President said the people of Bangladesh are devout, and most of them are Muslim. He said they have made many sacrifices in the past to protect their religious values. He said Bangladesh has now entered a new journey after many changes. He promised that the government will keep working with care to spread religious education and raise its quality.

Quran Shikkha Mission, Bangladesh Chairman Maulana Md. Billal Hossain led the winners. Hafez Mohammad Zakaria of Ar Rayhan International Madrasa, first in the 15 para Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category, was present. So was Hafeza Rabeta Binte Ramzan of Tanzimul Ummah Girls Hifz Madrasa, third in the same category. Visually impaired Hafez Sheikh Md. Mahmudul Hasan (Ashrafi) of Markazul Madina Madrasa and Hafeza Musfira Binte Mahmud of Sauda Binte Jama’ah Ra. International Girls Madrasa, both third in the 30 para category, also came.

The winners’ guardians and ustads, along with the directors of Quran Shikkha Mission, Bangladesh, also attended. At the event, the President gave the winning Hafezes the President’s crest. He also gave courtesy gifts to their family members and ustads. The President’s secretaries and senior officials were present.

Earlier, President Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called on the nation to preserve the true history of the Liberation War and give real freedom fighters due recognition and dignity. He also asked everyone to uphold the heritage and pride of the war. He said this when a 12 member delegation met him at Bangabhaban. Brave Freedom Fighter Mr. Naim Jahangir, Convener of the Central Command Council of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, led the group. President’s Press Secretary Mr. Md. Sarwar Alam told journalists about the meeting.