Cumilla: Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain today requested mosque committees to ensure that imams and khatibs receive salaries and allowances in line with the national pay scale. He made this appeal while serving as the chief guest at the Imam-Khatib conference held at the Cumilla Town Hall Maidan.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the conference was organized by the Shane Sahaba Jatiya Khatib Foundation’s Cumilla district and metropolitan units. Dr. Khalid Hossain highlighted that out of the approximately 3.5 lakh mosques in the country, all except six are privately managed by communities. He expressed concern that some mosque committees fail to fairly compensate imams and khatibs, though he also expressed gratitude to those that do offer reasonable pay and retirement incentives.
Dr. Khalid Hossain emphasized the significance of respecting imams and khatibs, noting that societal respect for these religious leaders is crucial. He announced that the mosque management policy is in the final stages of being updated, with input from various stakeholders, and will soon be published in a gazette.
He also mentioned that there are ongoing programmes aimed at the welfare of imams and khatibs, including a policy for model mosques and Islamic cultural centers being built by the government. The adviser acknowledged the current inadequate salaries of imams, khatibs, and khadems and expressed hope that a new policy would be formulated to enhance their compensation during the interim government’s tenure.
Assuring support for sick, poor, and distressed imams and khatibs, Dr. Khalid Hossain urged them to address public interest issues such as drug addiction, dowry, corruption, and other social problems during their sermons. He also called for unity among imams and khatibs to avoid divisions.
The conference saw participation from various foundation leaders, including Shaykh Mufti Shamim Majumdar, who served as the main speaker, and Shaykh Abdullah Al Mamun Mustafi, who chaired the event. Mufti Sharif Ullah Tarequi, Secretary General of the Foundation, also addressed the audience.
Following the conference, Dr. Khalid Hossain attended the inauguration ceremony of the Laksam Upazila Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre in Cumilla, where he unveiled the inaugural plaque.