Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said the BNP did not do anything for religion but it uses religion when elections come.
"BNP-Jamaat uses religion when polls come. But the party (BNP) didn't do anything for the religion, rather they tried to create religious conflict,” he said.
“Awami League doesn't use the religion for any political gain. We are working for the welfare of Islam and wellbeing of alem-ulamas,” the minister said at a discussion on Covid-19 awareness and Narayanganj district best award giving ceremony 2021 at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
Narayanganj Zilla Samity organized the function with Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi Bir Pratik in the chair.
"We are also working to ensure the rights of other religions as none can obstruct their religious freedom. The state also works for their welfare. We achieved independence in exchange for the blood of people of all faiths under the leadership of Bangabandhu,” added Hasan.
He said Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has done many works for the Islam which was not held during any other's tenure.
"There was a demand for hundred years of alem's society to establish an Islami-Arabic university. But it was not fulfilled even during the Pakistan regime. But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has established the Islami-Arabic University in 2013. It's now reality, not a dream," he added.
He said none, including Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia and Ershad, recognized the Qawmi Madrasah. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has recognized the certificate of Qawmi Madrasah and also provided jobs for them (students), he added.
The government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has started the works of establishing mosques at every district and every upazila while many mosques at district and upazila levels have been constructed and were inaugurated, he added.
"The minister said there were only a few mosque-based maktabs across the country 13 years ago and the alems got only Tk500 as allowance. But, now about two lakh mosque-based maktabs have been established after the Awami League government took charge and the alems are getting Tk5,200 as allowance," said Hasan.
The minister said BNP and Jamaat together were in power from 2001 to 2006, but they did nothing.
They only did politics with religion and tried to get votes through hurting the religious feelings and giving anti-religion slogans, he said before urging all to remain alert against the persons who use the religion for their own interest.
Dastagir said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did many things for the welfare of the Islam. The Islami Foundation was established by him and he banned alcohol and gambling, he added.
But Ziaur Rahman started those after the assassination of Bangabandhu, said Dastagir.
Dhaka University former dean Professor Dr Abdul Aziz, Narayanganj Zilla Parishad Chairman Md Anowar Hossain and AL district leaders, among others, addressed the function.
Later, the minister distributed awards and prizes among the winners of the Qirat competition of Narayanganj district and the best social workers and organizations of the district.
