Agreeing with the prime minister’s aim of raising the country’s underage orphans as educated and skilled manpower, the authorities of private Alia madrasas have expressed their interest in feeding and educating them.
They want to implement their plan of establishing a Lillah Boarding (an Islamic facility run on voluntary charity given in the name of Allah) in at least one Alia madrasa in every district.
At a recent meeting with the principals of private Alia madrasas, Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury Nowfel revealed the intentions of the premier. The state-run Alia madrasas have welcomed the plan by the private ones.
There are two major types of madrasa education in Bangladesh: Qawmi and Alia. The Alia madrasa education system was introduced to produce skilled graduates by providing a unified education with religious knowledge. In 1987, humanities and science were introduced in their curriculum.
As of July 7, 2022, there were 9,460 Alia madrasas across the country, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (Banbase).
Government Madrasah-E-Alia Principal Prof Muhammad Abdur Rashid said: “The private madrasas can collect zakat, fitra and other forms of charities by forming a Lillah Boarding each.
“But the money raised should be spent on orphans. This is a completely Islamic method and surely a good move.”
Swadhinata Madrasa Shikkhok Parishad President Prof Nazrul Islam said that at a meeting with the education minister on January 29, they discussed how to educate and train orphans.
“The minister is cordial enough to help orphan students brought into the mainstream. Those neglected are falling behind and all must think of them,” Nazrul opined.
Talking about “Lillah Boarding”, he said: “Even a room of any madrasa can be used for that.
“Moreover, there is no problem with building (to run the charity). Our organization works in all 64 districts. We can start Lillah Boarding’ in at least one madrasa in every district.”
Prof Nazrul thinks that alongside the government, all concerned should lend their helping hands in this regard.
“The affluent people in society can play a bolder role in standing by the orphans through zakat, fitra and other forms of charity to Alia madrasas,” he said.
Media personalities, too, can step forward in this regard, according to Islamic academics.
At the meeting with the madrasa principals, the minister reminded them of the role of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in disseminating Islamic education -- be it through general education or madrasas.
“Nobody can deny this fact,” he was quoted as saying.
“Why can’t we let the masses know that they can donate zakat to Alia madrasas? The same (charity) applies to other educational institutes and hospitals,” Nowfel told them.
“The prime minister told me that Alia madrasas must cater to more orphans. If so, orphans will easily come into the mainstream of society,” he said.
He suggested that donations by expatriates be given to registered madrasas.
“It will not only help orphans but also society. They will get a proper education, receive training, and become pro-active,” he said.
He lamented that the children could not even manage skill-based jobs.
Nowfel suggested that the Alia madrasa authorities ensure donations from people for the orphans.
“The amount of taxes is very poor, but the size of donations is massive,” he said.
The education minister assured the private Alia madrasas that the public would support them regarding this matter.