A group of Aliya madrasa teachers, overwhelmed by the government’s move to pass the Islamic Arabic University Bill in parliament, said on Saturday that Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid had secured a place in heaven because he had taken the initiative to table the bill.
“You have managed a place in heaven through your contribution in passing the law on Islamic Arabic University,” said Sabbir Ahmed Momtazi, general secretary of Bangladesh Jamiatul Mudarresin (BJM), one of the two Aliya madrasa teachers’ platforms in the country.
He was speaking at a prayer meeting held on the occasion of the law being enacted, where the education minister was also present.
Momtazi said by passing the bill this government had fulfilled a demand the madrasa teachers had wanted for over the last 92 years.
BJM President AMM Bahauddin said: “The Alem [religious leaders] community will always be with Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, whether he is in government or the opposition because he contributed to pass the law in spite of anti-Islamic forces conspiring.”
He added that he had spoken to the Saudi Arabian ambassador, who had assured him of financial support for the proposed university.
The education minister said the government had passed the law because they “want to modernise education in madrasas,” and assured everyone that the university’s activities would start soon.
Parliament passed the Islamic Arabic University Bill, 2013 on September 18 to promote higher education in Islamic knowledge.