Photo : BSS

DHAKA, March 14, 2026 (BSS) - The Engineers' Institution, Bangladesh (IEB) in collaboration with its Dhaka Centre and ERC Dhaka organized a special Ramadan prayer and iftar mahfil at the IEB Auditorium here today.
 
The event brought together leading engineers, policymakers and parliamentary representatives to mark the holy month of Ramadan and celebrate the contributions of the engineering community to national development.

The programme's chief guest Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher praised the nation's engineers for their efforts in building the country's infrastructure, from roads and bridges to major public facilities.

"Engineers have been instrumental in Bangladesh's visible development. Their continuous dedication ensures a sustainable and progressive future for our nation," he said, expressing confidence that engineers will continue to play a pivotal role in national development.

Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, attended as a special guest. He highlighted concerns over administrative structures that often place non-technical personnel in technical positions, hampering development initiatives. 

"For effective governance and project execution, technical posts must be filled by qualified engineers. This is now more important than ever to fulfil the promises outlined in the Prime Minister's election manifesto," he emphasized.

Another special guest, Ahmad Sohel Monjur, State Minister for Housing and Public Works, acknowledged the challenges faced by professional associations and expressed optimism that the government would address the issues confronting engineers. 

He called upon engineers to remain united to strengthen ongoing national development efforts.

Engineer Md. Ashraf Uddin (Bakul), MP of Narsingdi-5, pointed out that engineers have long faced neglect over the past 17 years. He urged proper recognition for those who have fought for the profession, as well as attention to engineers who lost jobs during difficult periods and have yet to be reinstated.

Shahrin Islam Tuhin, Convener of the Association of Engineers Bangladesh (AEB), expressed concern over the replacement of specialized technical engineers with non-technical officials in critical positions, slowing down project implementation and increasing technical complications.

The ceremony was presided over by IEB President Engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam (Riju), who reiterated the institution's commitment to safeguarding engineers' professional rights and assured that further initiatives would be undertaken to communicate these issues with government authorities.

Welcoming guests, Engineer Muhammad Ahsanul Rasel, Acting Honorary Secretary of IEB, provided a brief history of the institution, noting its origins during the British colonial period and its post-independence transformation into the Engineers' Institution, Bangladesh.

The programme featured remarks from Chairman of IEB Dhaka Centre Helal Uddin Talukdar, and Vice-Chairman of ERC Dhaka Engineer Khan Ataur Rahman Santu.

ATM Tanvir-ul Hasan (Tamal), Vice-President (Administration and Finance) of IEB and Convener of the Organizing Committee, expressed gratitude to attendees, while the programme was conducted by KM Asaduzzaman, Member Secretary of the Organizing Committee and Honorary Secretary, Dhaka Centre.

IEB's senior officials and engineers from various centres and chapters attended, including Vice-Presidents Khan Monjur Morshed, Sheikh Al Amin and Niyaz Uddin Bhuiyan, as well as Honorary Assistant Secretaries Mohammad Mahbub Alam, Md. Nur Amin and Sabbir Ahmed Osmani.