Experts seek imams' help in ensuring food security

‘Our religion always supports science and innovation which are good for humankind’

FE Team | Published: August 23, 2022 23:06:21

RAJSHAHI, Aug 23 (BSS): Imams can play a vital role in ensuring food security as they can reach out to the cross-section of people in the present society more easily than other professions.
They can disseminate important messages related to innovative and modern agricultural technologies and high yielding varieties of crops, fruits and vegetables to the grassroots people easily.
Agricultural experts and communication academics came up with the observation while speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-day capacity building workshop on "Role of Imams for Ensuring Food Security through Agricultural Innovation and Application of Agro-biotechnology in Bangladesh" organised by Framing Future Bangladesh (FFB) at Imam Training Academy (ITA) in the city on Tuesday.
Around 50 trained imams joined the interaction programme with scientists, academics and development partners, besides talking about modern agricultural innovations, including gene editing, genetically modified organisms and crop biotechnology.
Prof Dr Tofazzal Islam, Director of Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, conducted the technical session as resource person disseminating his expertise on the issue.
Associate Professor Satil Siraj from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism in Rajshahi University shared his views.
FFB Executive Director Arif Hossain, ITA Deputy Director Malik Hayder and Imam Mawlana Ishak Ali also spoke. Prof Tofazzal Islam said it will not be impossible for humans to survive without taking or adopting the agricultural innovation to overcome the adverse impact of the covid-19 pandemic.
In his remarks, Satil Siraj urged the attending religious leaders to disseminate information about the aspects and importance to the grassroots people. Malik Hayder said, "Our religion always supports science and innovation which are good for humankind".
He also discussed the importance of demystifying misinformation about agricultural innovations, specially aligned with the Islamic references.
Arif Hossain told the meeting that FFB is a comprehensive communication and community engagement organisation aimed to improve access to modern agricultural innovations for sustainable food security in Bangladesh.
It is effectively engaging key stakeholders and a community of advocates to promote access to scientific innovation as a means of enhancing food security, improving environmental sustainability and raising the quality of life.