Imams urged to raise awareness against drug, bribery, corruption

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad has urged imams across the country to play a more active role in raising public awareness against drug abuse, bribery, corruption, extortion, adultery and other social injustices through Friday sermons.

While addressing the National Imam Conference organised on the occasion of the triennial council session of the Bangladesh National Imam Samity at the Islamic Foundation auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Saturday, he made this plea. 

The minister said imams have a significant role to play alongside law enforcement agencies in eliminating social evils and promoting ethical values. Noting that people listen to and trust imams, he urged them to use Friday sermons to foster moral awareness and encourage people to stand against wrongdoing.

Kaikobad also outlined the government's plans to improve the financial security and social status of religious leaders. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had pledged honorariums for imams, muezzins and other religious service providers before the election, and the government had begun implementing the commitment in phases.

The minister said Tk 1,100 crore had been allocated for the development sector of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in the 2026�"27 fiscal year. The government plans to bring religious leaders serving at 347,339 religious institutions under a government honorarium scheme in phases over the next four years.

Recalling the historical contributions of religious leaders, he said a welfare fund established following an announcement by former prime minister Khaleda Zia in 1994 had grown from Tk 2 crore to nearly Tk 100 crore.