Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad on Saturday has warned that the government will take strict measures to prevent the recurrence of rape and other indecent incidents in madrasas, describing such incidents as “regrettable”.
He issued the warning while attending the triennial council session of the Bangladesh National Imam Samity at Agargaon in the capital in the morning.
Speaking to journalists after the event, the minister said imams had been instructed to raise awareness through Friday sermons and other awareness messages to ensure that such heinous crimes do not recur in sacred institutions like madrasas.
Addressing imams from across the country earlier, he urged everyone to remain highly vigilant so that no one could incite unrest and undermine religious harmony in the country.
Emphasizing the role of religious scholars in combating social crimes, Kaikobad said imams should speak strongly against drug abuse, terrorism and other social offences during Friday sermons.
He said imams enjoyed considerable public acceptance and influence in society, making their role important in raising awareness and preventing crime.
