Imams’ Awareness Campaigns Could Save Lives from Human Trafficking Risks

Islamic Foundation Director General Mr. Mufti Muhammad Muhibbullahil Baki has asked imams, alems and ulama to raise public awareness about human trafficking and unsafe migration. He said they can do this through Friday sermons and religious talks. He said imams can protect many people from unsafe journeys abroad and from the risk of human trafficking by creating awareness.

Mr. Baki spoke yesterday as chief guest at a workshop for imams. It took place at the Islamic Foundation head office in Sherebangla Nagar in the capital. The Migration Programme of BRAC organised the workshop under the project “Mass Campaign to Combat Human Trafficking and People Smuggling,” which the Government of Australia funds.

The Islamic Foundation Director General said that helping to save one person’s life means working to protect that person’s whole life and wellbeing. He said including the risks of human trafficking and unsafe migration in Friday sermon topics, along with other issues, is a demand of the time.

BRAC Associate Director Mr. Shariful Hasan presented the keynote paper at the workshop. Describing the present migration picture, he said about 1.5 crore Bangladeshis now work in different countries. On average, 12 to 13 lakh people go abroad every year.

Mr. Hasan said a large share of them become victims of fraud after brokers tempt them. He said that while trying to go abroad by unsafe routes, they also put their own lives at risk.

Mr. Hasan said, “We do not want anyone to lose their life early by making a suicidal attempt like crossing the sea illegally to go abroad. Imams and alems hold a place of special respect in society. If we can fully involve imams and muezzins across the country in this awareness effort, many lives can be saved.”

He said that in the past one year, the BRAC Migration Programme has made more than 23 thousand people aware under the project. It did this through sermons by imams in 49 mosques in four trafficking prone districts. These districts are Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Cox’s Bazar. He said the joint awareness work against this crime against humanity will continue in the future.

Several others spoke at the workshop. They were Islamic Foundation Coordination Division Director Mr. Md. Mohiuddin, Translation and Compilation Division Director Mr. Md. Anisuzzaman Sikder, and Finance and Accounts Division Director Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid Khan. Research Division Director Dr. Waliur Rahman Khan and Deputy Secretary Mr. Md. Golam Kabir also spoke.