Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday renewed her call to Imams, Alem, Ulema and Mashayekh to preach the real essence of Islam to the common people so that no one indulges in terrorism and militancy.
“You’ll have to remain alert so that no one can cause harm to the holy region,” she said while addressing a grand rally of Imams, Ulema and Mashayekh at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city marking the 42nd founding anniversary of Islamic Foundation.
The Prime Minister alleged that propaganda was spread many times in the past against Awami League that Islam would not exist in Bangladesh if it came to power and such propaganda intensified after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with most of his family members on August 15, 1975.
She, however, said those who grabbed power illegally after 1975 did business with religion and never worked for preaching and spreading Islam. “Even the power grabbers reintroduced licence for liquor although Bangabandhu had banned gambling, liquor and racing. They even led the upsurge of terrorism and militancy which was very much unfortunate for the nation”
The Prime Minister also urged Imams, religious leaders, Alem-Ulema, Mashayekh, guardians and teachers and people from all strata to take steps to bring those youth and children, who have taken the wrong path of militancy and terrorism, to the right path and take steps whenever terrorism and militancy makes any attempt to raise its ugly head. “You’ll put up such resistance together with people.”
She said a vested quarter is trying to malign this holy religion hatching various conspiracies so that they could make fortune through arms trading and thus shedding the blood of Muslims.
Noting that the government cannot allow the holy religion to be maligned, Hasina said they will take whatever necessary in this regard, hoping that all will be vocal to take this religion to a more respectable position in the globe.
Mentioning that Bangladesh has taken a tough stance against terrorism and militancy, she said the visit of the Vice President of the two Holy Mosques of Saudi Arabia and Imam of one of them will surely expedite its efforts to curb the menace.
She also said their visit will certainly motivate and encourage the country’s people, and strengthen and boost the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
Vice President of the Holy Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Dr Mohammad Bin Nasser Bin Mohammad Al Khuzaim and Imam and Preacher of the Prophet’s Mosque Abdulmehsin bin Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Qasim also spoke at the rally while Islamic Foundation Director General Shamim Mohammad Afzal delivered the address of welcome.
The Prime Minister also said Bangladesh will always stand by Saudi Arabia and its King in curbing terrorism and militancy so that no one can malign and cause harm to the reputation of holy religion Islam.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Saudi Badshah (Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud) for his efforts and role in curbing terrorism and militancy together with those believe in peace across the globe,” she said
Referring to the speeches of Nasser Bin Mohammad and Abdulmehsin, Hasina said it is now clear that Islam is a religion of peace, brotherhood and solidarity and it never believes in killing innocent people. “Those who are engaged in such crimes are causing harm to this religion,” she added.
Terming the grand rally of Alem and Ulema ‘very important’ considering the present context, Hasina said the speeches of the two respected guests will further strengthen the role of her government against terrorism and militancy.
Earlier, both the two Saudi guests categorically said Islam does not allow terrorism, militancy and the killing of innocent people in the name of religion.
In his speech, Nasser Bin Mohammad said Bangladesh is one of those countries in the world which has gained successes in curbing terrorism and militancy.
He also called upon the Muslim Ummah to stand against the menaces of terrorism and militancy.
Abdulmehsin said Islam is free from terrorism and militancy and there is no place for terrorism and militancy in the religion.
Later, he conducted a munajat seeking peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah.
source:UNB
