Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the Qawmi alem-ulemas to ignore propaganda spread on social media.
She was speaking as the chief guest at a mass reception arranged by the Al-Hiyatul Ulya Lil-Zami’atil Qawmiya Bangladesh with Hefazat-e-Islam chief Shah Ahmed Shafi in the chair to commemorate the government’s recognition of Dawra-e-Hadith the highest certification offered by Qawmi madrasas as equivalent to a postgraduate degree, at the Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Sunday.
On September 18, parliament passed a bill to recognize the Dawra-e-Hadith (Takmil) degree with the status of post-graduate degrees of Islamic Studies and Arabic.
The prime minister as chief guest urged the alem-ulema of the country not to take the law into their own hands if and when provoked by propaganda on social media.
The prime minister also warned of harsh action against offensive speeches regarding religion.
“Our religion is Islam. Anyone who makes (offensive) remarks against it or Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will be tried under the law.
“We have introduced cybercrime laws to deal with such offences,” she added.
The prime minister lauded the efforts of Qawmi people for giving shelter, food and education to thousands of orphans and ultra poor children. “It is a matter of good luck to be present among those who serve Islam.”
About the cause of passing the bill, she said that Islam is a religion of peace and brotherhood. Islam teaches peace. “So, the preachers of Islam should not be left neglected.”
She said that the government has already established welfare trust for Imam and muazzins.
She urged all to work for the development of the country to build a hunger, poverty free one.
The premier also said that 560 model madrasas and Islamic cultural centres across the country will be built and Saudi Arabia will assist in this project.
“We have already established an Arabic university and allotted land for it. This is how we are trying so that the Islamic education can be done properly.
“I want peace in our country. We will only develop if there is peace and everyone will benefit from development.”
The prime minister said she and her party always follow the path of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The essence of Islam is peace, brotherhood, cordiality and the spirit of non-communalism, she said. “We all will walk keeping in mind the lessons that our prophet taught us.”
She spoke of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s initiative of setting up the Islamic Foundation, she said his initiative has given possibility for spreading Islam across the country and Bishwa Ijtema, is now held every year in Tongi.
She said her government will not give room to militancy and corruption. “Whenever I visit an international conference and hear the term ‘Islamic terrorism,’ I object. I tell them that they cannot say that because not everyone is a terrorist.
“Terrorists have no religion. They do not have nation or a society. They are simply terrorists and militants. If they truly believed in Islam, they would not terrorists or militants.”
The prime minister asked for their prayers ahead of the upcoming election.
On the occasion, Al-Hiyatul Ulya Lil-Zami’atil Qawmiya Bangladesh’s chairman Shafi in a written statement thanked the premier for recognizing the Dawra-e-Hadith saying that her contribution will be written in the pages of history. He also urged to withdraw “false cases” against alem-ulemas.
In his written statement, he too urged people not to believe in propaganda spread on social media.
He also said there is negative publicity regarding him on social media and requested the people involved in Qawmi education not to believe and misled by the negative propaganda against him on social media and electronic media.
“With the development of information technology rumours are spread on social media. As a result, there is violence, animosity and divisions among the Muslim population,” he said.
Shafi presented Sheikh Hasina with a letter of thanks after her speech.