News Flash
KHULNA, July 18, 2025 (BSS) – Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A. F. M. Khalid Hossain today urged imams (Muslim Scholars) to address social issues in light of Islamic teachings during sermons (Khutba) of Jumma prayers.
He also mentioned that a mosque management policy would soon be published in the official gazette, which would help ensure job security and a fixed monthly salary for imams, muezzins, and caretakers. Last year, the government provided nearly Tk 4 crore in financial assistance to these mosque officials, he added.
He made the remarks as chief guest while inaugurating the Khulna City Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Center, along with a divisional imam conference titled "Role of Imams and Islamic Scholars in Establishing Communal Harmony and Tackling Social Issues such as Terrorism, Corruption, Drugs, Dowry, and Violence against Women," held at the mosque in Nur Nagar in the city.
The advisor stated that out of 564 model mosques planned nationwide, construction of 350 has been completed, while the rest are underway. These mosques aim to foster communal harmony, social cohesion, and unity in society.
He added that the mosques will play an active role in preventing violence against women and children and will help build a brotherly atmosphere.
The more mosques are established, the more worshippers will be created, he said, adding that prayer helps people avoid immoral and harmful behavior, thereby reducing crime in society.
He further stated that plans are underway to offer Qur’an and Hadith education to inmates through Islamic scholars. Mosque-based programmes for children’s and mass education have already begun, he said and urged the local administration to ensure proper implementation.
Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam presided over the event.
Divisional Commissioner Md. Firoz Sarker, Director General of the Islamic Foundation Abdul Salam Khan, Khulna Range DIG Md. Rezaul Haque, Supervising Engineer of the Public Works Department Ahmed Anwarul Nazrul, and Governor of the Islamic Foundation’s Board of Governors Maulana Syed Mohammad Mosaddek Billah Al Madani, addressed the occasion as special guests.
Divisional Director of the Islamic Foundation in Khulna Md. Asinuzzaman Sikder delivered the welcome speech.
During the event, the chief guest distributed cheques worth Tk 1.14 lakh from the Zakat Fund among 14 underprivileged individuals.
Constructed at a cost of around Tk 17 crore, the four-storey Khulna City Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Center includes separate ablution and prayer spaces for men, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, imam training facilities, Hajj registration services, Islamic research center, Autism corner for children, mortuary washing facilities, Islamic book sales center, accommodation for imams and muezzins, guest room, conference room, and car parking facilities.
