Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Mujibur Rahman has called for replacing the country's interest-based financial system with a Zakat-based economic model, arguing that the proposed budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year does not reflect Islamic economic principles.
Taking part in the general discussion on the budget in Parliament on Sunday, the Rajshahi-1 MP urged the government to establish a separate Ministry of Zakat and introduce a Shariah-based system for collecting and distributing Zakat.
He criticised the proposed budget, saying it did not adequately reflect key Islamic economic concepts. He argued that the terms "Zakat" and "wastefulness" were absent from, or insufficiently addressed in, the budget speech.
Quoting verses from the Holy Quran and Hadith throughout his speech, the lawmaker warned that excessive dependence on borrowing could undermine the country's independence. He also cautioned against leaving debts unpaid.
Mujibur Rahman reiterated his opposition to Bangladesh's interest-based banking system, describing interest as prohibited in Islam and urging the government to adopt an Islamic economic model. Referring to Islamic banking, he alleged that the sector had deteriorated after coming under the influence of vested interests and claimed that Bangladesh had previously shown that banking operations could function without interest.
He also opposed any provision allowing undisclosed, or "black", money to be legalised, arguing that wealth acquired illegally should not be legitimised through taxation or other measures.
The Jamaat MP welcomed the government's decision to keep tobacco products expensive, saying higher prices would discourage smoking and other harmful habits.
On education, he called for greater government support for Qawmi madrasahs through dedicated budget allocations. He also urged the government to ensure that madrasah students receive the same benefits as primary school pupils, including uniforms and shoes.
He proposed bringing all eligible educational institutions under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme in phases and called for the fulfilment of teachers' long-standing demands.
The lawmaker also urged the government to ensure fair wages for workers, enforce existing labour protections and create more employment opportunities instead of relying on financial assistance programmes.
Concluding his speech, Mujibur Rahman called for balanced development across all constituencies and expressed hope that the government would pursue what he described as a more just and equitable economic system.
