 "I cannot tolerate the sufferings of the people. I want peace and development of the people, not the prime ministership," she said. The Prime Minister said BNP and Jamaat cadres are now burning the people to death in the name of hartal. "Believe me, I feel so much pain, when I see the way the people is being burnt by the BNP-Jamaat cadres. It seems at that time I don't need the prime ministership," she said. Sheikh Hasina said this while addressing the national conference of khatibs and best trained imams at Bangabandhu international conference centre here this morning. State minister for religious affairs Advocate Shahjahan Mia presided over the function, while Religious Affairs Secretary Kazi Habibul Awal gave the address of welcome. Shamim Mohammad Afzal, Director General of Islamic Foundation, Moulana Md Nizamuddin Nomani, the best trained Imam at the national level, and Moulana Jalaluddin Qauderi, convenor of the National Khatib Conference, also spoke at the function. The Prime Minister said the BNP and Jamaat cadres are burning the sleeping people to death by pouring petrol and such kind of oppression on people could not be tolerated. "The BNP-Jamaat cadres laugh seeing the burning people," she said referring to 15-year-old Monir Hossain who was killed in BNP- Jamaat brutality during recent hartal. Sheikh Hasina again mentioned that she requested Begum Zia over phone on October 26 to call off hartal. But the opposition leader turned down her (Sheikh Hasina) proposal, she said. Turning to the war crimes trial issue, the Premier alleged that the BNP-Jamaat-Hefajat have become desperate to thwart the trial of the war criminals. "This trial should go on for the welfare of the human being. as those war criminals committed genocide, arson, violating our mothers and sisters. Their trial must be held on the soil of Bangladesh," she asserted. Terming Islam as a religion of peace, the PM said there is no place for terrorism and militancy in it. Sheikh Hasina called upon the Alem, Ulemas, Khatibs and Imams to beware of those who are out to malign Islam through their ill attempts to turn it into a religion of militancy and unleash atrocities on people. She also urged the religious leaders to create awareness among the youths and their parents about the destructive impacts of drug addiction. About the steps the government has taken for the development of Madrasa education, the Prime Minister said there are two types exist in the country's Madrasa education -- one is Alia and another is Quomi. She said the students who pass from the Alia madrasa are getting scopes of government jobs as Alia education programme is recognised by the government. But, the Quomi students are deprived of the government jobs as there is no government recognition to their certificates. "That is why we've taken initiatives for bringing the Quomi Madrasa education under the government certificates. Some are explaining it in wrong way, " she said. "Our aim is so that the students who pass from Quomi madrasa can get jobs in public and private sectors as well as abroad. But, it would not be made mandatory and none will be forced to accept it," she added. The Prime Minister said the role of Alem Ulemas in preaching and expansion of Islam is undeniable. They have been performing this responsibility as 'Waresatul Ambia' for ages. "They used to call upon the people in way of 'Hedayet' if they see any inconsistency in society. But, the way of this invitation has now become almost confined. Many of them are now playing with the differences between believers and atheists by shifting from the way," she said. She said BNP-Jamaat and Hefajat have become desperate together to stop trial of war criminals. "The trial of war criminals was one of our commitments in the election manifesto and we will execute the trial at any cost," she said. Sheikh Hasina said there is no place of falsehood in Islam. "But, a vested quarter is resorting to propaganda against Awami League. They burn the holy Quran, vandalize mosques and kill people in the name of religion," she said adding, "The holy Islam does not approve such type of work." The Prime Minister said such type of false propaganda always exists against Awami League. But, the victory of falsehood does not happen always, she added. "It is now clear to the people the real development of Islam is made by Awami League and I believe that the patriotic people would make us victorious by casting vote again," she said seeking cooperation of all to this end. Listing various steps for the welfare of Islam, she said the present government has digitized Al Quran including translation and pronunciation of Arabic, Bengali and English. "We've passed the Islamic Arabic University Bill in the Jatiya Sangsad for establishing an Arabic University," she said. The Prime Minister said initiatives have been taken to constitute a 'Fatwa Board' at national level to implement the Supreme Court verdict regarding Fatwa. "Leading Alem, Ulema, Mufti and Mufassirs of the districts will be incorporated in it," she added. Sheikh Hasina said the previous Awami League government had started work on constructing a Minaret for raising beautification and expansion of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, but the BNP- Jamaat government after coming to power stopped that work. She said after assuming office this time the present government completed the work for expansion of the mosque and the minaret. "We'll also build the minaret situated in the north-east corner of the mosque," she added. The Prime Minister said the present government framed the National Hajj Policy 2010 for smooth Hajj Management. "The money of house rent of the hajj pilgrims was embezzled during the rule of the BNP-Jamaat government. The money of Jakat fund was also misappropriated at that time," she mentioned. She said overall Hajj activities have been brought under digital technologies adding, "We've rented a plaza at Jeddah Hajj Terminal since 2011 for mitigating the sufferings of the hajj pilgrims," Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned praises from the Saudi government by securing first place in hajj management among the South Asian countries in 2010 and in 2011. "The number of hajj pilgrims increased to 1,22,958 in 2012 from only 47,983 in 2006," she said. She said her government has constructed academic buildings of 1,000 madrasas for development of madrasa education and introduced honours courses in 80 madrasas. "We would built a central mosque with modern facilities in every district and upazila headquarters if we're given responsibility of running the government again, Insha Allah," she said. Earlier, the Premier distributed awards to the best trained imams at national, divisional and district level and the winners of children's and juvenile's cultural competition. |
Sunday 10 November 2013
I want peace, not prime ministership: Sheikh Hasina
