Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged all to resist misinterpretation of Islam carried out by evil forces and eradicate darkness, illiteracy, discord, violence, terrorism and militancy from the society being imbued with the essence of the religion of peace.
"Let us all hold the message of Islam in our hearts and eradicate darkness, illiteracy, discord, violence, terrorism and militancy from the society; resist the evil force which is making misinterpretations of Islam," she said while addressing the national level Hajj and Umrah Management Conference-2022 and opening ceremony of Hajj and Umrah fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in Dhaka, organised by Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB).
She virtually joined the event from her official residence Ganabhaban.
While speaking at the event the PM said, “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has done a lot for Islam in the country and as his successor; my government is working relentlessly to uphold the spirit of Islam and for the welfare of the people.”
She also said that Islam is the best religion in the world, but this holy religion is sometimes exposed to criticism due to a few militants.
"We've adopted zero tolerance policy towards militancy to uphold the peaceful glory of holy Islam by keeping the country free from militancy," she said.
She also mentioned that they had formed a committee comprising Islamic scholars in every area so that no child could get involved with militancy and drugs.
The premier added that Imams are being provided training engaging the religious leaders for the development of human resources.
The event's objectives include providing the pilgrims with proper hajj-related information, making them aware of current technology-based hajj management, enabling them direct contact with Hajj agencies and reducing the influence of middlemen and scammers.
Two seminars will be held on "Hajj and Umrah Management: Achievements and Actions needed" and "e-Hajj Management and Route to Makkah Initiatives" at the conference.
Different Hajj agencies, financial organisations and the concerned authorities have set up 150 stalls and pavilions in the three-day Hajj and Umrah fair, which remains open from 10:00am to 8:00pm every day.
Bangladesh, in the world, is the 4th largest pilgrim-sending country to Makkah.
More than 90 per cent of Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims and 100 per cent of umrah pilgrims go to Saudi Arabia under private management.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan, its Secretary Kazi Enamul Hassan, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Dahilan and HAAB President M Shahadat Hossain Taslim also spoke at the inaugural ceremony.
