Model mosques to inspire all to understand essence of Islam: PM

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina on Thursday expressed the hope that the model mosques would help spread the essence of Islam and its inspirational practices and culture to all irrespective of their religions and castes, reports UNB.
"The culture and messages of Islam will have an enormous attention of all through these model mosques. The people of the country, irrespective of their religions and castes, will be able to comprehend the essence of Islam," she said.
The PM made the remarks while addressing the inaugural function of 50 luminous model mosques constructed newly across the country, fulfilling one of her election pledges.
She opened the 50 model mosques virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban on the occasion of the Mujib Year.
The landmark mosques have been built as part of the government's move to set up 560 such mosques-cum-centres of excellence at district and upazila levels, aiming to spread Islamic fraternity, real Islamic values and practices, conduct research, create strong infrastructures for prayers for both men and women, provide religious teaching and training and enhance public awareness against social diseases.
Hasina said Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country. "So, it's essential that Islamic rituals and values are practised here properly in addition to promotion of Islamic culture."
"We've already completed the construction of 50 mosques, out of 560, so that Bangladesh can also substantially contribute to preaching and spreading of our holy religion - Islamic - in the future," she said.
The PM said today is really a delightful and glorious day as Bangladesh has emerged as a developing country following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who had served a lot for Islam and set up the Islamic Foundation.
She called upon all to be more conscious and mindful to keep this society free from the curses of child marriage, dowry, violence against women, and drugs. "You'll have to create awareness against these (social menaces). We've built these model mosques in that way."
Hasina urged Islamic scholars (Ulema), teachers and guardians to make efforts to keep the young generation away from the path of militancy as it tarnishes the image of the holy Islam.
She also said militancy has been allowed to grow in the name of Islam. "Killing people and unleashing militancy in the name of Islam were seen not only in Bangladesh but also elsewhere in the world."
Mentioning that the militants believe that they will go to the heaven by killing people, Hasina said, "Can anyone say who has made his or her way into the heaven by killing people? No one can say that. But they (militants) have badly damaged the image of the holy Islam."
Stressing that Islam is the best religion in the world, she said, the most unfortunate matter is that a handful of people has given a bad name to the holy religion by creating militancy, killing people and blasting bombs. "It not only undermines the sanctity of our religion but also tarnishes its image throughout the country," she added.
The PM said Islam is the most tolerant religion as it allows all to enjoy their rights and teaches for treating all people as human beings.
Referring to the glorious history of Muslims in knowledge and science, she said the Muslims had once been the progressive community in the practice of knowledge in every sector. "But why're the Muslims lagging behind today?" she said.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, joining it from Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.
Later, Hasina heard speeches from devotees virtually from model mosques in Khulna, Rangpur and Sylhet.
On April 5, 2018, Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the construction of Model Mosques and Islamic Cultural Centres involving Tk 87.22 billion (8,722 crore).
The government is implementing the project with its own fund to fulfill the pledge Hasina made in the election manifesto before the 2014 national election to build a model mosque in every district and upazila of the country.