The government will begin disbursing honorariums to imams, khatibs and muezzins in some areas ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr as part of implementing an election pledge.
The amount to be provided to imams and other religious leaders has yet to be finalized, though the initiative will be launched in several areas before Eid, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters at the gate of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon around noon, Mahdi said the government plans to roll out the allowance program on a preliminary basis before Eid-ul-Fitr. State Minister Shahe Alam was also present.
He added that providing honorariums to imams, khatibs, muezzins and other religious leaders was a key pledge made by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) ahead of the national election. After assuming office, the government moved to fulfill that commitment and will gradually expand the program nationwide, he added.
When asked about the specific amount of the allowance, Mahdi said the final decision would be taken at an inter-ministerial meeting.
Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly said Saturday marked the prime minister’s third working day in office. He added that the prime minister had issued several directives aimed at implementing election pledges.
Tarique Rahman worked from the Tejgaon office for the first time on Saturday. Upon arrival, he exchanged views with several long-serving officials and employees, while concerned ministers held discussions on policy-related matters throughout the day.
