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Unmask evil force that uses Islam to serve political interests
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the religious leaders to unmask the real face of the force that uses Islam to confuse people with a view to preserving their political interests. The evil force is distorting the real message of Islam, which is a religion of peace, she added.She was addressing the National Convention of Imams trained on Human Resource in 2009 at the city's Osmani Memorial Auditorium. The premier also requested the religious leaders to wage a social movement against corruption She also urged the Imams to help the government protect women from repression, eliminate early marriage, dowry and poverty alleviation, preserve the country's environment, achieve cent-percent literacy rate and ensure quality health services for all. Hasina said the defeated force of 1971 liberation war always tries to misguide people with propaganda against Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Awami League. But those who came to power using the name of Islam had withdrawn those revolutionary laws enacted by the Father of Nation. They also gave license for wine manufacturing, she added. She observed that drug addiction and corruption are social diseases. The Imams can make people aware of corruption and the dire consequences of drug addiction, Hasina also said. About militancy, the prime minister urged the Imams to remain alert so that none could create chaos or any kind of violence in the name of Islam. Killing is considered as one of the most heinous acts in Islam and suicide is also completely prohibited in Islam. Then, how an Islamic person can launch suicide bomb attacks on others and kill people? she posed a question. Bangladesh is considered a model country with communal and religious harmony. Imams can play a significant role in keeping the harmony and peace unharmed in the future, she said. The prime minister also laid emphasis on including texts of all religions in the school curricula for balanced education of the children. Expressing her government's strong commitment to ensure peaceful co-existence of people of all religions in the country, Hasina said Islam teaches that people of different faiths should perform their respective rituals with full freedom. She said the government would take measures for expediting the Imam-Muazzin Welfare Trust under which the Imams and Muazzins are being given interest-free loans and donations. The prime minister distributed certificates among the best Imams for their outstanding performances in the training programmes and contribution to social cause. Posted by: Steve White 2010-01-01 |
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