Jamiatul Modarresin’s Contribution to Madrasa Education Unforgettable: Education Minister
Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has said that the contribution of Bangladesh Jamiatul Modarresin to the development of madrasa education is unforgettable. He said the non-political organisation of madrasa teachers and employees has worked for madrasa education and teachers’ welfare since its establishment. From founder Maulana M A Mannan (R) to its current president, A M M Bahauddin, the organisation has sought to elevate madrasa education to the level of general education and improve teachers’ salaries, benefits and professional conditions.
The government, he said, would continue working with the organisation to develop madrasa education. He made the remarks on Sunday night during a courtesy meeting with Jamiatul Modarresin leaders at his Minto Road residence in Dhaka. The minister said the fallen fascist government had caused the greatest damage to the education sector. Under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the government is working to rebuild and reform the fragile education system.
However, he alleged that individuals aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami, appointed to important positions during the previous interim government, were creating obstacles. They were also spreading confusion and misinformation and portraying government initiatives negatively, he claimed. He sought Jamiatul Modarresin’s cooperation in addressing these challenges.
Jamiatul Modarresin President and Inqilab Editor A M M Bahauddin said the organisation had always worked for madrasa and Islamic education. He claimed many improvements in madrasa education and teachers’ living standards resulted from its demands and initiatives. He said some groups had attempted to mislead madrasa teachers, bring them onto the streets through movements and use them for political purposes, but failed to achieve tangible results. Jamiatul Modarresin, he said, preferred dialogue and constructive engagement.
Mr Bahauddin said he personally respects the Zia family. He noted that late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia listened to religious scholars and sought to govern in accordance with Islamic values. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman possesses similar qualities, citing his meeting with Hefazat-e-Islam chief Babunagari. He added that Jamiatul Modarresin is supported by respected pirs, Islamic scholars, researchers and spiritual institutions across the country.
Addressing the minister, Mr Bahauddin said he should not consider himself weak or isolated, asserting that thousands of institutions, hundreds of thousands of teachers and students, and numerous spiritual leaders and religious institutions stand beside him. He urged him to work with spiritual centres such as Chharshina and Fultali. He also alleged that a “covert group” is trying to convert people to different beliefs and doctrines. Madrasa teachers, Islamic scholars and spiritual institutions, he said, have long opposed such efforts and united action would defeat them.
