Key highlights
- As part of the Islamic Mission Complex construction project, a 31-bed hospital has been built in Jhalakathi, treating 277,553 patients to date
- The Geeta Shiksha project caters to 30,000 children in 1,000 Geeta Shiksha (Child) centers and 42,000 adults in 1,400 Geeta Shiksha (Adult) centers
- Pali-Bangla Dictionary’s publication (Volume 1 and 2) in 2010, is a pioneering work in Bengali-Pali literature and is the first of its kind in the subcontinent
- Since 2015, a total of 8 training programs for pastor-priests and 20 youth ethics training programs have been successfully implemented
Renowned for its rich cultural heritage, Bangladesh has woven a mosaic of religious diversity that transcends sectarian boundaries. The constitutional commitment to secularism, as enshrined in the founding principles of the nation, lays the foundation for a society where individuals of various religious beliefs find acceptance and coexistence.
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Bangladesh’s commitment to upholding religious harmony is reflected in its efforts to safeguard the rights of all religious communities, fostering an environment where people from different faiths can practice their beliefs freely and contribute collectively to the nation’s progress.
Dedicatedly aligning with the government’s Vision 2021 and Vision 2030, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is tirelessly working towards ensuring equal rights for all religious communities. In alignment with the commitment made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, a project is currently underway to establish 564 model mosques and Islamic cultural centers in every district and upazila.
Furthermore, ongoing initiatives include the “Temple Based Children and Mass Education Program-6th Stage” under the Hindu Dharma Welfare Trust, the “Empowerment of priests and ministers in religious and socio-economic contexts,” and the “Pagoda Based Children and Mass Education Program (Phase 3)” under the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust. Similar endeavors are being pursued under the Christian Religious Welfare Trust for the welfare of Christianity followers.
Significantly, grants for the renovation, repair, and rehabilitation of religious institutions across all faiths have seen successive increases over the years.
Visionary Quest for Islamic Harmony
Online pre-registration and registration for Hajj pilgrims are currently ongoing through the e-Hajj management system, dedicated to serving the needs of Hajj participants. Future plans include launching the “e-Hajj Mobile App” for convenient pre-registration, offering diverse services like government and private application options, refund services, and more.
On March 22, 1975, the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, established the Islamic Foundation. In 2017, the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, initiated the establishment of 564 model mosques and Islamic cultural centers in every district and upazila of the country, setting a unique example in the Muslim world.
Facilities such as- an imam training center, mass education center, research center, library, funeral arrangements, autism corner, e-corner, book sale center, guest house, foreign tourist accommodation, and car parking are provided.
As part of the Islamic Mission Complex construction project, a 31-bed hospital has been built in Jhalakathi, treating 277,553 patients to date. The Islamic Foundation’s activities have been digitized, featuring a digital studio and the digitalization of the Holy Qur’anul Kareem in 30 paras, aiming to disseminate the noble message of Islam through digital means and establishing a digital archive project.
Over the past three years, a total of 7,52,00 taka of Zakat was collected in the financial year 2022-2023.
In the Haor region, a program has been implemented to enhance people’s quality of life and preserve biodiversity through activities led by imams.
Steps Towards Hindu Community Empowerment
The Hindu Religious Welfare Trust was established as a statutory body under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, subsequently converted into Act No. 42 of 2018. Recently, one-time scholarships have been initiated for Hindu community members undertaking pilgrimages and for deserving underprivileged students.
Moreover, ongoing projects encompass temple-based children and public education programs, priest training, and special allocations, with 3 initiatives in each upazila, 3 in each district, and 3 in city corporations, totaling 2,331 temples.
The Geeta Shiksha project caters to 30,000 children in 1,000 Geeta Shiksha (Child) centers and 42,000 adults in 1,400 Geeta Shiksha (Adult) centers, playing a pivotal role in realizing the government’s Vision 2021. The project has employed 331 employees and 7,400 teachers.
Additionally, the Development and Renovation Project for Traditional Religion Temples aims to renovate 2,741 temples nationwide, employing 32 employees.
Buddhist Community under Government Patronage
The Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust, under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, completed the Pali-Bangla Dictionary’s publication (Volume 1 and 2) in 2010, a pioneering work in Bengali-Pali literature and is the first of its kind in the subcontinent.
To date, training sessions for a total of 960 leaders, encompassing Buddhist monks, women leaders, and local social leaders through 32 batches spanning four days each, has been successfully conducted.
In pursuit of the goal to contribute to a Digital Bangladesh, aligned with the government’s “Vision-2021,” the Trust has launched its own website (www.brwt.gov.bd). This website serves as a platform for the free flow of information, offering various insights into the religious activities of the Buddhist community in the country.
An agreement was formalized between the Lumbini Development Trust of Nepal and the Government of Bangladesh for the construction of a Buddhist monastery in Lumbini, Nepal, with funding from Bangladesh.
Since 2013, donations have been directed towards the treatment of indigent individuals and Buddhist monks. Up to 2023, a total grant of 53 lakh 61 thousand taka has been provided for the treatment of 408 people.
Under the present government’s tenure, various religious festivals of the Buddhist community are celebrated with grandeur and solemnity. Key festivals such as “Shubh Buddha Purnima” and the second-largest religious festival, “Shubh Prabarana Purnima and Kathin Cheebar Daan,” are observed with due dignity in all Buddhist Viharas, Pagodas, and Shrines throughout Bangladesh each month.
Strategies endorsed for Christian Community
In 1983, the Christian Religious Welfare Trust Ordinance was promulgated. In alignment with the Cabinet’s decision, the Trust Ordinance initiated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, has been formally enacted as the ‘Christian Religious Welfare Trust Act, 2018.’ This Act was officially gazetted on April 19, 2018.
From 2018 to 2023, a sum of 11 lakh 50 thousand has been disbursed to 33 church-based Sunday schools from the earnings of the trust’s 5 crore endowment fund. It is noteworthy that these Sunday schools offer religious and moral education to students ranging from 1st class to 5th class.
A grant of 2 crore 79 lakh 73 thousand has been allocated for the repair, renovation, and development of 572 churches, cemeteries, and places of worship.
Since 2015, a total of 8 training programs for pastor-priests and 20 youth ethics training programs have been successfully implemented, benefiting 774 pastor-priests and 1982 individuals.
To sum up, Bangladesh shines as a symbol of religious diversity and unity, promoting coexistence and tolerance among different faiths. The mantra ‘Dhormo Jaar Jaar, Utsob Shobar’ encapsulates Bangladesh’s commitment to secularism, emphasizing communal harmony through individual religious practices and collective celebrations for all.
