Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A F M Khalid Hossain addressed the Zakat Conference 2026 as chief guest at a city hotel in the capital this afternoon. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS)- Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A F M Khalid Hossain today said poverty could be eradicated through proper management of zakat.

“If wealthy people pay zakat according to proper rules and distribute methodically, poverty could be eliminated within the next 10 years. Proper zakat management could also reduce dependence on foreign assistance,” the adviser said.

He made the remarks while addressing the Zakat Conference 2026 as chief guest at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital this afternoon. 

Mastul Foundation, private voluntary organization, organized the conference.
Terming poverty, as a curse for nation, Dr Khalid said a strong economy ensures stability, while poverty hinders national progress. 

Highlighting state-managed zakat, he said zakat was collected and distributed by the state for centuries in the early days of Islam which resulted in a situation that eligible recipients for zakat were hard to find in some provinces.

Dr Khalid said, “Zakat management had not become institutionalized due to the absence of Shariah law and urged people to pay zakat according to Shariah.”

Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Secretary Md Saidur Rahman Khan, Islamic Arabic University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Shamsul Alam, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management Rezwanur Rahman and Mufti Jubayer Abdullah spoke as special guests at the conference.

Over hundred people from different professions attended the conference.