PM launches monthly honorarium scheme for religious leaders

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated a government programme to provide monthly honorariums to religious leaders of all faiths and pledged to build a peaceful and secure Bangladesh through the united efforts of people of every religion.
“Today, people of all religions are sitting together in one row here. This is the timeless tradition of our Bangladesh. No one should be allowed to create division among us. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, we will all work together, Inshallah, to build a peaceful Bangladesh,” he said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the monthly honorarium scheme for religious leaders.
The prime minister launched the scheme by pressing the button of the IBAS system, sending the honorariums directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts via the EFT system under a pilot programme at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
Under the first phase, 16,992 religious leaders from 4,908 mosques, 990 temples and 144 Buddhist monasteries have begun receiving monthly payments. The scheme also covers priests, sebayets, monks, assistant monks, church priests and their assistants, ensuring support for religious heads of all faiths.
Noting that the government is implementing its election pledges while the ink of voters’ fingers is still fresh, the premier said the main goal of such economic initiatives is to help citizens of all professions become financially self-reliant.
“Everyone will gradually be included under this programme. The aim of our economic initiatives is to ensure that citizens can support themselves and their families with dignity,” he added.
Tarique Rahman encouraged religious leaders to engage in economic and social activities alongside their religious duties and assured them of full government support. He also announced that one imam, khatib, or religious leader from other faiths will be included in law and order committees at every district and upazila to reinforce their role in community development.
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the function as guest of honour, while the Prime Minister’s Adviser for Public Administration Md Ismail Zabiullah was present as special guest. Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) presided over the programme, and Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry Munshi Alauddin Al Azad delivered the welcome address.
Recalling the contribution of the late President Ziaur Rahman, he noted that the first Imam Training Academy had been established during his tenure and stressed that mosques and religious institutions of all faiths should become centres of religious, social and moral education.
“An economically prosperous state may ensure comfort, but without patience, honesty, gratitude, respect, loyalty, solidarity, tolerance, generosity, friendship, humility, responsibility and kindness, a person cannot become complete. To achieve such qualities, it is essential to be inspired by religious, social and moral values,” he said.
Citing a Hadith, he added, “One who does not have trustworthiness and security is not a true believer, and one who does not keep promises has no religion. A person gets mental guidance for a purified life and healthy thoughts from the behaviour acquired from the state, society, environment and ecology.”
He emphasised that all religions carry messages for building a morally rich and peaceful society, “Therefore, the role of religious scholars and leaders is crucial in creating a mentality imbued with religious, social and moral values,” he said.
After his speech, the prime minister took part in a photo session with the beneficiaries. Many expressed gratitude for receiving confirmation of their honorariums through their banks.
Under the scheme, imams will receive Tk5,000 per month, muazzins Tk3,000 and khadems Tk2,000, totalling Tk10,000 per mosque. Temple priests receive Tk5,000, sebayets Tk3,000, head monks of Buddhist monasteries Tk5,000, assistant monks Tk3,000, church priests Tk5,000 and assistant priests Tk3,000, with each temple, monastery and church receiving Tk8,000 per month.
Additionally, festival allowances will be provided: imams, muazzins and khadems will receive Tk1,000 each during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha, while priests, sebayets, monks and church leaders will receive Tk2,000 during Durga Puja, Buddha Purnima and Christmas.
Officials said Tk27.13 crore will be required in the current fiscal year to implement the programme. The honorariums will be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts via Sonali Bank, leaving no scope for corruption.