Tarique seeks Islamic scholars' support for BNP in polls

\Stating that the justice and fairness, inspired by the ideals of Prophet Muhammad (SM), will guide his party's governance if it returns to power, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday sought support from imams, khatibs, muezzins and Islamic scholars for his party in the next national election, reports UNB.

"There was never any doubt about the Greatest Prophet's fairness. InshAllah, BNP's guiding principle in governing the country will be justice and fairness, upholding the Prophet's ideals," he said.

Speaking virtually at the National Conference of the Sammilito Imam-Khatib, the BNP leader also said his party wants to build an equitable Bangladesh based on justice inspired by the Prophet's teachings.

"BNP seeks the prayers and support of all respected imams, khatibs, muezzins, Islamic scholars, alems and pir-mashaikh of the country in the upcoming election to build such a Bangladesh," he said.

The BNP leader urged Islamic scholars and ulema to pray for his mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, for the leaders, workers and supporters of BNP, and for the people of the country.

"May Allah grant me and our party the chance to carry out every righteous deed for the welfare of the nation and its people. For this, I seek your prayers, support and cooperation," he added.

The conference, organised by the Sammilito Imam-Khatib Parishad, was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre. Mufti Azharul Islam, the member-secretary of the conference committee, presented the seven-point demands of the imams and khatibs at the programme.

Tarique said the long one-and-a-half decades of Awami League's oppressive rule once again proved that to protect religious faith, Islam, and the country's independence and sovereignty, there is no alternative to unity. "So, the upcoming national election is extremely important and significant for consolidating the freedom of the country and its people," he said. Tarique recalled that during the BNP government in 1993, mosque-based child and mass education programmes were introduced for the first time in the country and continued to date.

He said BNP also plans to involve imams and muezzins in future disaster prevention programmes and local development activities across all districts and upazilas.

The BNP leader praised imams, khatibs and muezzins for their role as social reformers, saying, "Despite limitations, you have devoted your time to the moral and spiritual upliftment of society. BNP believes it is the state's responsibility to provide financial support to those who are struggling." "I believe there is every possibility of fulfilling several of the demands you have presented on a priority basis. You have called for the formulation of service rules for imams, khatibs, and muezzins. This is a very logical demand," he said.