Dhaka: Chief Justice (CJ) Syed Refaat Ahmed today called upon the countrymen to ensure the peaceful coexistence of all religions in the country by maintaining the dignity of all places of worship including mosques and shrines. “Let us make a collective commitment to uphold the dignity of our mosques, shrines and indeed all places of worship. A commitment to work for a society, built on the principles of mutual coexistence of all religions, the foundation of which will be justice, compassion and unity,” he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the CJ was speaking as the chief guest at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Supreme Court Mosque and Shrine Complex today. He emphasized that mosques and shrines have always played a significant role in shaping spiritual and social lives, serving not only as places of prayer but also as centers of learning and knowledge acquisition. He urged the populace to ensure the sanctity of all mosques and shrines across the country.
Refaat Ahmed highlighted that apart from the pursuit of knowledge, mosques and shrines serve as powerful symbols of unity, especially in this particular part of the world. Regardless of social or economic status, everyone stands shoulder to shoulder in the mosque to pray, which reinforces the values of equality and humility. Beyond their physical structure, mosques are seen as spiritual havens where believers reconnect with their Creator and find peace by contemplating their purpose in life.
He called upon the countrymen to build a society based on mutual respect and tolerance that translates into actions, benefits the entire humanity, and makes the world a better place. The event was chaired by Supreme Court Shrine and Mosque Administration Committee Chairman and Appellate Division Justice S. M. Emdadul Hoque. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul and Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain were present as special guests.
Asif Nazrul, speaking on the occasion, emphasized that the mosque’s design should be consistent with the design of the Supreme Court structures. He remarked that in Islam, mosques are not just places of prayer; they are also centers for religious education and discussions. He noted that regardless of religion, mosques and other places of prayer are important parts of life.
The religious adviser, Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain, stated that Bangladesh is a country of different religions and emphasized efforts to maintain sincere harmony. He asserted that no one can destroy this harmony and affirmed strict actions against anyone attempting to do so.
Shamim Akhtar, Chief Engineer of the Housing and Public Works Department, presented a slide on the construction project of the Mazar-e-Mosque building located in the Bangladesh Supreme Court premises. The Supreme Court Mazar-e-Mosque construction project was approved by the ECNEC on December 6, 2023, with a construction cost of TK 110.58 crore. The project includes the construction of a four-story mosque with two basements, providing facilities for men and women to pray, car parking, and accommodating 2,500 people. The plan also mentions facilities for a madrasa, library, langarkhana, and a mortuary bath. The Chief Engineer hoped the work would be completed by December this year.