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DHAKA, May 17, 2026 (BSS) - Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad today sought religious leaders or “ulemas” help to generate awareness for proper processing and preservation of sacrificial animals’ rawhides in view of their crucial contribution to the country’s leather industry.
“We have often seen in the past hides were buried underground after traders failed to fetch fair prices,” he told ulemas’ as they were invited to join a discussion on rawhide preservation at the Islamic Foundation auditorium at its head office at Agargaon here ahead of festival.
The minister said such practices should be prevented and ulamas “have to put in your efforts for that” while the government as well would carry on a campaign particularly for proper flaying and preservation of cattle hides for maintaining their quality for industrial use.
Kaikobad warned of stern government actions against hide syndicates and middlemen in cattle trading saying “if needed I am ready to make any sacrifice but I will not allow any injustice”.
The participating ulemas, on the other hand, urged the government to take necessary steps to ensure fair prices for hides.
The minister said the government would stand firmly to uphold ulemas' dignity while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman by issued a directive for proper treatment of madrasahs, generally run by the religious scholars.
“No assistance from anyone is needed for the propagation of Islam and running madrasahs. Almighty Allah Himself will support these seminaries until the Day of Judgment,” he said.
He urged ulemas to come together on one platform, terming them as “custodians of society”.
Kaikobad recalled the ulema’s support for gaining Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's legitimacy and transition from military rule to a civilian regime during the 1977 referendum when BNP had no organisational structure.
“The pirs, mashaikhs, Qawmi ulema, madrasah students and teachers of Bangladesh worked as activists of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. They ensured his victory by voting ‘Yes’ in the referendum,” he said.
Kaikobad also expressed gratitude to Qawmi madrasah ulemas for their role in the great Liberation War and all democratic movements.
Kaikobad said no head of government since independence had considered honorarium allowances for imams and muezzins while “Tarique Rahman has done it”.
“Gradually, all persons serving in mosques and other religious places of worship across the country will receive this honorarium allowance,” he added.
Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad also addressed the function as the special guest while Islamic Foundation Director General A. Salam Khan chaired the event.
Islamic Foundation Secretary Sheikh Murshidul Islam, Director Dr Muhammad Harunur Rashid, Muhaddis Dr Waliur Rahman Khan, Muhaddis Hafez Mufti Jubayer Ahmad of Jamia Forkania Lalbagh Madrasa, and Muhtamim Hafez Maulana Sakhawat Hossain of Azimpur Faizul Ulum Madrasa also spoke.
