30-Member Delegation Led by Bangladesh Jamiatul Modarresin President Alhaj A.M.M. Bahauddin Visits Bangabhaban; President Urges to Speak Out Against the Exploitation of Religion for Political Gain
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that Islam is a religion of peace, harmony and welfare. Proper preaching and practice of Islam can play a positive role in society and the country. Pirs, Mashayekhs and Islamic scholars have long been playing an important role in promoting Islam and spreading moral and religious education among people. The President called on everyone to remain vigilant and united against injustice, division and the misuse of religion.
He made these remarks when a 30-member delegation led by Alhaj A.M.M. Bahauddin, president of Bangladesh Jamiatul Modarresin and editor of Daily Inqilab, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Tuesday (November 3).
Addressing the Jamiatul Modarresin leaders, the President said they had fulfilled a historic responsibility by promoting the true teachings of Islam and had stayed away from those who sought political gains by exploiting religion. Rather, they had protested against such attempts. Islamic scholars have played an important role in madrasa education, promoting religious values and maintaining social harmony in the country.
The President further said that mutual unity and solidarity were extremely important at the present time. In particular, strengthening unity and cooperation among Muslim countries would make it easier to address various challenges. He sought the cooperation of Islamic scholars and all concerned to move the country forward. Regarding various demands raised by the delegation, the President advised them to contact the relevant ministries and assured them of necessary cooperation after considering the issues.
The delegation also invited the President to a conference of teachers to be organised by Bangladesh Jamiatul Modarresin at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital. He accepted the invitation and assured them of his presence at the event.
Other members of the delegation included the organisation’s Senior Vice-President Maulana Kabi Ruhul Amin Khan, Secretary General Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Momtazi, Adviser Maulana Ahmad Hasan Chowdhury Phultali, Vice-Presidents Maulana Syed Abu Noman Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman, Maulana Ruhul Amin Afsari, Dr. Maulana A.K.M. Mahbubur Rahman, Maulana Abdur Razzak, Maulana Nurul Islam, Maulana Nesarul Haque and Maulana Abdul Alim Rezvi; Joint Secretaries General Maulana A.K.M. Abu Bakkar Siddique, Maulana A.N.M. Hadiuzzaman, Maulana Md. Mokaddasul Islam, Maulana Md. Ezharul Haque and Maulana Mohammad Mobashshirul Haque Naim; Organising Secretary Maulana Zafar Sadeque; Maulana Abdur Razzak; Assistant Secretary General Maulana Md. Jahangir Alam Majumder and Dr. Maulana Md. Abubakar Siddique; Audit Secretary Abu Nayeem Muhammad Abdullah Bin Masud; International Secretary Maulana Md. Mahbubur Rahman; Curriculum and Syllabus Secretary Maulana Abu Saleh Md. Qutbul Alam; Maulana Jasim Uddin Azhari; Student Affairs Secretary Maulana Khorshed Alam; Organising Secretary Maulana Abdur Rahman; Training Secretary Maulana Syed Muhammad Abu Saleh; Publication Secretary Maulana Abdul Hai Bari; and Inqilab General Manager Md. Robiul Zaman, among others.
The President’s Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary were also present at the meeting.
In a statement on the meeting, Jamiatul Modarresin said the President told its leaders that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had laid the foundation for Ebtedayi madrasas and introduced a pay scale for their teachers. Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had continued that initiative. The current Prime Minister is also sincere about madrasa education.
The President reportedly said that he was aware of all their demands and that existing problems in the Madrasa Education Board, Technical Education Board, directorates and other institutions would be resolved. He also said he would discuss the demands raised by the delegation, particularly the nationalisation of jobs for teachers and employees, problems facing Ebtedayi madrasas and an increase in the retirement age, with the head of government.
In his address, Jamiatul Modarresin President A.M.M. Bahauddin said that their relationship with the President dated back many years. Before the election, people across Bangladesh, particularly Jamiatul leaders, had visited the Thakurgaon area to ensure his victory.
He said that this country of saints and pirs had many pirs, Mashayekhs and qualified Islamic scholars among Jamiatul leaders. He added that major religious institutions, including Sarsina and Phultali, had been cooperating with Jamiatul in all its activities. Their millions of followers were serving true Islam in the country.
He further said that the President was already aware of their existing demands, including the nationalisation of jobs for teachers of madrasas and other MPO-listed private educational institutions, resolving the problems of independent Ebtedayi madrasas and raising the retirement age to 65. He urged the President to take these issues into consideration.
In his vote of thanks, the organisation’s Secretary General, Principal Shabbir Ahmad Momtazi, said that they were warmly congratulating the President on behalf of millions of teachers and employees for assuming the office, describing him as a teacher, a well-wisher of madrasas and a sincere personality.
He also thanked and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and all leaders of his party for appointing him to this appropriate position.
He said the President was aware of the problems and overall situation of madrasa education. He added that implementing their demands, including the nationalisation of jobs for teachers and employees of independent Ebtedayi madrasas and other private educational institutions and increasing teachers’ retirement age, would benefit millions of Islamic scholars, pirs and Mashayekhs, as well as more than seven million students across the country. Millions of students at dini madrasas and other institutions would also be encouraged.
