Tarique Rahman Honours Prize-Winning Hafez at International Quran Competition

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that properly encouraging and recognising talented people will benefit both the country and future generations.

He made the remarks at a reception for Bangladeshi Hafez who won prizes at the 46th King Abdul Aziz International Holy Quran Competition, held in Saudi Arabia last August.
The reception was organised at the Cabinet Division meeting room of the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday. Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu disclosed the information.
Congratulating the winners, Tarique Rahman said their achievements were not theirs alone but an achievement for all Muslims in Bangladesh.

Highlighting the importance of encouraging and honouring Hafez, the Prime Minister said many of them had mentioned that Hafez were being encouraged and honoured after a long time.
He said it was a policy of the current government to recognise, from the state’s position, the achievements of the country’s children and future generations when they accomplish something through their merit and ability.
“The government has been trying to encourage talented and qualified people since it was formed,” he said.
As part of this effort, the government invited the Hafez, who won prizes in the international competition, he added.

Teachers of the prize-winning Hafez raised several issues concerning madrasa education before the Prime Minister. In response, Tarique Rahman said the government would examine whether there were possible ways to address their problems.
“You have mentioned some problems. If there is any way for us to solve them, we will look into it, InshaAllah. We will certainly try to do whatever is possible from our side,” he said.
The Prime Minister also assured them of government support for participation in future international competitions.

He said more such competitions might be held in the future and asked them to inform the government through the proper channels if assistance was required to participate.
“We want our boys and girls to participate in such international competitions and bring honour and glory to themselves, the country and its people through their participation,” he said.
Calling for collective efforts to establish peace and bring positive change to the country, Tarique Rahman said people’s ways of working might differ, but their goal was the same.

“That is to establish peace in the country so that everyone can live well and peacefully. So that people can live as human beings. That is our effort and that is our initiative,” he said.
Seeking everyone’s cooperation and prayers for the government, the Prime Minister said, “We want to work for the country and its people. We want to move forward together with everyone. We want to bring positive changes to the country together with everyone.”

At the reception, the Prime Minister presented books to the winners. Earlier, he listened to the Hafez recite verses from the Surahs through which they had won prizes in the competition.
At the competition in Saudi Arabia, Bangladeshi Hafez Mohammad Zakaria secured first place in the 15-Juz Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category among competitors from 133 countries.
Hafez Sheikh Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Ashrafi secured third place in the 30-juz Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category.

Hafeza Rabeta Binte Ramzan also secured third place in the 15-Juz category, while Hafeza Musfira Binte Mahmud won third place in the 30-Juz Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category.
Among others, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, State Minister for Religious Affairs Shamim Kaisar, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and Maulana Rafiqul Islam attended the programme.
The teachers of the prize-winning Hafez, Kaiyum Mollaya, Moinuddin Majumdar, Abu Bakar and Sajeda Khatun, were also present.