Islamic banking expanding rapidly, says State Minister for CHT Affairs

Barrister Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, MP, Minister of State for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, has said that Islamic banking is experiencing rapid growth globally.

It is playing a unique role in the socio-economic development and poverty alleviation in Bangladesh also, he said, adding that the current government is steadfast in its commitment to providing all necessary support for the sustainable growth of this industry and the generation of employment.

He shared these views as the chief guest at a discussion and iftar mahfil titled "Bank-based zakat collection and distribution in poverty alleviation and employment generation" The Central Shariah Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh (CSBIB) arranged the event at a city hotel recently.

The discussion meeting was presided over by Professor Dr. Mohammad Gias Uddin Talukder, Chairman of the Central Shariah Board and Chairman of the Arabic Department at the University of Chittagong. Professor Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq, Chairman of the Department of Economics at United International University, presented the keynote paper.

The discussants on the paper included Professor Dr. Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah, Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University Bangladesh, Kushtia; Professor Dr. Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Islamic Arabic University; Dr. Mohammad Ayub Miah, Chairman of Sammilito Islami Bank; Professor Dr. M. Zubaidur Rahman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC; Principal Dr. Md. Anwar Hosain Molla, Vice-Chairman of the Central Shariah Board; Mirza Elias Uddin Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Jamuna Bank; and Mohammad Anisur Rahman, Director of the Islamic Banking Regulations and Policy Department of Bangladesh Bank.

Principal Sayed Kamaluddin Abdullah Zafree, Chairman of the CSBIB Fiqh Committee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bangladesh Islamic University; Md. Abdul Awwal Sarker, Director of Janata Bank; Md. Omar Faruk Khan, Managing Director of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC; Mawlana Shah Mohammad Wali Ullah, Member of the Bangladesh Bank Shariah Advisory Board; Sk. Md. Lutful Kabir, Additional Director of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, and Md. Afzalul Islam, Head of Islamic Banking at City Bank PLC, were also present as special guests.