Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said some vested quarters are making ill efforts to tarnish the image of Islam through terrorist and militant activities.
“Islam is a religion of peace and progress. But it is regretful that some vested quarters are out to damage its image by unleashing terrorism and militancy side by side with killing and destructive acts,” she said.
“But we don’t want Islam’s image to be spoiled….we want Islam to get more dignity as a religion of peace in the world,” she said, seeking cooperation to this end.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating this year’s Hajj activities-2014 (Hijri 1435) at Ashkona Haji Camp in Uttara in Dhaka in the afternoon on the day.
With Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman in the chair, the function was addressed by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry Bazlul Haque Harun, Advocate Sahara Khatun, MP, and Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Bin Naser Al-Busairi.
Religious Affairs Secretary Chowdhury Md Babul Hasan delivered the welcome address.
The PM said her government has taken anti-militancy programs at district, upazila and union levels to save the country from stigma. “Alem-Ulema have been involved in upholding the peaceful glory of Islam by freeing the non-communal Muslims from militancy,” she said.
She said the people at home and abroad have realized that the Muslims in Bangladesh believe in the policy of peaceful coexistence of holy Islam and they hate terrorism and militancy.
“Bangladesh is now known as a model of communal harmony across the world,” she said.
She also highlighted the steps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, saying that Bangabandhu was a true Muslim at heart. “The outstanding contribution he made to preaching of Islam would remain a unique example in our history,” she said.
The prime minister said the hajj management has been given priority immediately after assumption of office by her previous government in 2009.
Sheikh Hasina said after taking office in 2009, her government took measures to remove irregularities and indiscipline of the previous governments in all fields including transportation of hajj pilgrims, housing arrangement in Makkah and Madina. The office of the hajj wing was shifted to Bangladesh hajj mission in Makkah from Jeddah in 2009, she said.
Due to these steps, she said, performing hajj including raising facilities of the hajj pilgrims has been brought under a well-controlled system.
The prime minister said the qualitative change that took place in the hajj management in the last five years was highly acclaimed by the Saudi Hajj Ministry.
Noting that the Awami League is always committed to serving Islam in the country, Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League government always works for preaching and expansion of Islam.
“You have already come to know that we for the first time made arrangement for preaching and expansion of holy Quran in Arabic, Bangla and English languages through digitization by using information technology,” she said. “I believe that this programme would undoubtedly be considered as a milestone in preaching and expansion of Islam.”
Sheikh Hasina wished good health and peaceful staying of Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and requested them to pray for continued peace, prosperity and welfare of the nation.
A munajat was offered seeking continued peace, prosperity and development of the nation as well as peaceful performing of Hajj by the Bangladeshi pilgrims. Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Prof Maulana Salahuddin Ahmed conducted the munajat.
Later, the prime minister visited the Hajj camp and enquired about the wellbeing of the Hajj pilgrims.
The first Hajj flight from Bangladesh takes off Wednesday and the last one would fly on September 28. The return flights from Saudi Arabia will commence on October 8 and continue till November 8.
Nearly-one lakh pilgrims would perform hajj from Bangladesh this year under the government and private management. Of them, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will carry 49,378 pilgrims, while Saudi Airlines will carry the rest. –News: Our Monitor (Photo: PID)