Militancy and terrorism are not the teaching of Islam: PM

Terming Islam as a religion of peace, the Prime Minister sought cooperation of alem-ulema (religious leaders) so that none can unleash terrorist acts like killing, hurling bombs, cutting tendons and gouging eyes in the country by using the religion.

She also called upon them to remain alert so that any vested quarter cannot enter us to create division and hesitation.

"You have seen in the world, particularly in the Islamic countries, that the conflict and clash are more in those countries. But who are instigating and gaining benefit by engaging the resourceful Muslim countries in trouble against each other," she questioned.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the 39th founding anniversary function of Islamic Foundation at
Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

Mentioning that a vested quarter is misguiding the innocent people by carrying out propaganda against Awami League by using Islam, the Prime Minister also sought cooperation of alem-ulema to create awareness among the common people to this end.

Sheikh Hasina said it is unfortunate that Awami League always becomes the biggest victim of propaganda about religion.

"It is Awami League of which most of the leaders and workers perform and practice religion and help the poor and orphans. But those who do not offer prayers and who always plunge into graft and corruption and earn money by cheating the common people are being described as the protectors of Islam," she said.

The Prime Minister also sought cooperation of alem-ulema to continue the trial of perpetrators who committed crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation in 1971.

Sheikh Hasina also urged the people to eliminate terrorism, militancy, darkness, illiteracy, differences, revenge and
conflict from the society and resist the evil forces misinterpreting Islam by containing the essence of Islam.

"Let us come to turn the country into a peaceful and safe abode for the next generation being sharpened with the spirit of the War of Liberation," she said.

The Prime Minister mentioned that Islam is a religion of peace, fraternity, non-communalism, world brotherhood and
humanity.

"The great messages of Islam our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muahammad (PBUH) preached have taught to love the people, patriotism and to be careful about the poor and orphans," she said, adding Islam has given rights and overall philosophy of life to the women.

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the Islamic Foundation after independence to spread the real teaching and essence of Islam among the people. "Bangabandhu during his three and a half years tenure made invaluable contribution to serve Islam," she said.

She said Bangabandhu reorganized and expanded the Madrasa Education Board and allocated a huge area on the bank of the Turag for the Biswa Ijtema. He also allocated land for expansion of Kakrail Mosque and banned liquor, gambling, horse race by enacting laws," she said.

Mentioning that the people have elected the Awami League again in the January 5 polls, the Prime Minister said: "We would implement the commitments that were given for the development of the country and the people Insha Allah."

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is now known as a non- communal, democratic and peaceful country across the world.

"I believe that human ideals of the religion will have to be parctised and nurtured properly to check erosion of the society," she said, adding a nation rich with religious and moral education could bring peace and prosperity for the country.

The Prime Minister said Islamic Foundation is a common platform of all alem and ulema of the country. "I hope that this institution would conduct more research on the Islam's contribution to culture, thinking, science and civilization," she said.

She also hoped that the Islamic Foundation would uphold the Islamic history and philosophy and would be turned into a leading institution on the world stage in the development of Islam by taking with alem and ulema.

Sheikh Hasina said her previous government had made efforts sincerely to project the essence of Islam. "We worked to ensure an environment so that the people of all faiths could perform their respective religions freely in the light of "Madina Sanad" of the Great Prophet," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government tries to maintain rules of Islam and believes in piousness, not fanaticism. "We work from the belief and feelings for serving Islam," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her first government during 1996-2001, a total of 43 district offices and their all manpower transferred to the revenue sector. "The government also constituted the Imam- Muazzin Welfare Trust and its amount of the capital is now over Taka 28 crore," she said.

The Prime Minister also spelled out different steps her government taken for the welfare of Islam and reiterated that the government would not enact any laws that are contrary to Quran and Sunnah.

The steps included introduction of mosque-based library, providing medicare services to the poor people through Islamic mission centres, implementation of mosque-based child and mass education programme at a cost of Taka 786 crore, introduction of digital version of holy Quran, launching work on the Arabic University, modernization of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, construction of academic buildings of 1000 madrasas and providing
training to imams and muezzins.

Later, a munajat was offered seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation. Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Professor Maulana Mohammad Salah Uddin conducted the munajat.