No State Initiative to Honour Quran Hafizs Despite Recognition for Sports, Cultural Achievers: Jamaat Ameer
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman has urged the government to honour at the state level the Quran hafizs who have brought honour to Bangladesh on the world stage. He said that although successful individuals in sports, culture and other fields are given state receptions, no significant initiative has so far been taken to recognise Bangladeshi hafizs for their achievements in international Quran competitions.
He made the remarks at a briefing at the official residence of the Opposition Leader on Minto Road in the capital on Thursday (September 3). Earlier, he hosted a reception for the Bangladeshi hafizs who won prizes at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition.
Mr Shafiqur Rahman said, “Those who return home after achieving success in various fields, including sports and culture, are given receptions and honoured by the state. But Quran hafizs have repeatedly brought honour to Bangladesh on the world stage, yet no such initiative has so far been taken by the state.”
The Jamaat chief also said the government has no commitment to those involved in Qawmi and hifz education. He said, “There is no commitment or delivery from the government towards those who have maintained the Qawmi education system and those who have preserved hifz education. This is blatant discrimination.”
He said four contestants from Bangladesh participated in this year’s World Tahfizul Quran Competition in Makkah, and all four won prizes. One secured first place, while the other three secured third place.
Urging the government to recognise the winning hafizs, Mr Shafiqur Rahman said there were various ways to honour them beyond simply hosting a reception and called on the authorities to take such initiatives.
Meanwhile, asked about ruling-party lawmakers’ comments that the opposition’s long march was being held at a “premature” time, Mr Shafiqur Rahman said the kind of society expected after August 2024 had not materialised. He said the programme was being held as part of their moral responsibility to act on behalf of the people.
Responding to the use of the word “premature”, he said, “I pray to Allah for him and ask Allah to grant him maturity first. We are seeing a lot of maturity in this society. People are now fed up with the excesses of that maturity. We seek refuge in Allah from that maturity.”
At the event, Mufti Abdul Qayyum Molla, principal of Rayhan International Madrasa, said, “One of the four Bangladeshi contestants secured first place and three secured third place, returning home with prize money worth around Tk 25 million. However, they have received no recognition or assistance from the state.” He demanded government recognition and receptions for winners of Quran competitions in the future.
