The government of Bangladesh has decided to begin providing monthly honorariums to khatibs, imams and muezzins in selected areas before the upcoming Eid, as part of implementing its election pledge.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters at the PMO gate, the Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said the government had pledged to introduce monthly honorariums and festival allowances for khatibs, imams and muezzins, as well as religious leaders of other faiths.
“Following the Prime Minister’s directive, we will complete the necessary preparations before Eid and gradually launch the programme. In some areas, respected khatibs, imams and muezzins will receive honorariums, InshaAllah,” he said.
He added that the amount of the honorarium has not yet been fixed and will be finalised at an inter-ministerial meeting.
State Minister for Local Government and Cooperatives Shahe Alam was also present during the briefing.
Earlier, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly said Saturday marked the Prime Minister’s third working day in office, during which he issued several directives to implement election pledges.
In addition to the honorarium decision, the Prime Minister chaired meetings on strengthening religious and social harmony and on reforming the education system, boosting employment and expanding sports infrastructure.
Although it was a public holiday, the Prime Minister began work at the PMO at 10:10am, where he was received by Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.
.jpg "Bangladesh records 4 more measles-related deaths in past 24 hours")
