Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain on Wednesday said that the country's Alem (Islamic scholar) community should take the initiative in driving social reform, reports BSS.
"Maintaining communal harmony is the priority of the interim government... Only the Alem community can provide the right direction to society on combating terrorism and resolving social problems," he said.
He made this remark as the chief while addressing a cheque-distribution ceremony of a financial grant and interest-free loan under the Imam Muazzin Welfare Trust.
Islamic Foundation organised the event at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque auditorium, said a press release.
The adviser said the Imam Muazzin Welfare Trust is a time-befitting and people-friendly trust, and the capacity of this trust will be further enhanced in the coming days.
"For the welfare of the Imam and Muazzins, we are working to develop a mosque management policy and planning to form a pay scale for them," he added.
Officials concerned said that under the Imam Muazzin Welfare Trust, interest-free loans of Taka 1.80 crore are being provided to 600 helpless Imams and Muazzins in the fiscal year 2024-2025, while grants of Taka 2.31 crore are being given to 4,620 people, and each of the recipients is getting Taka 5,000.
At the function, 295 people of Dhaka district were given a grant of Taka 14.75 lakh, and each person received Taka 5,000.
In addition, interest-free loans amounting to Tk 1.4 lakh were provided to 7 entrepreneurs in Dhaka district, and each person gets Tk 20,000, while Taka 2.10 lakh to seven general entrepreneurs, each receives Taka 30,000 and Taka 2.8 lakh to 7 special entrepreneurs of which each gets Taka 40,000.
With Islamic Foundation Director General Abdus Salam Khan in the chair, the Islamic Foundation's directors, project directors, officials, employees and scholars, among others, were present.
The main objective of the Imam Muazzin Welfare Trust is to make the imams and muazzins self-reliant through socio-economic development.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
