Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated 50 more model mosques and Islamic cultural centers across the country. On Thursday 16 March 2023, the Prime Minister inaugurated the mosques virtually from Ganabhaban. Through this, a total of 150 model mosques were inaugurated across the country.

In the meantime, one hundred mosques have been inaugurated in two phases of the project. In the third phase, 50 more mosques and Islamic cultural centers have been inaugurated.

Inspired by the spirit of Islam and following the thoughts of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina planned to build 564 model mosques in each district and upazila. Government funding for the construction of 564 model mosques and Islamic cultural centers is 9 thousand 435 crores.

The Ministry of Public Works works to shape the implementation of the Prime Minister's plan. Instructions have also been given to those concerned to complete the work of the rest of the mosques quickly. By building these model mosques and Islamic cultural centers, the Prime Minister is setting a rare example in the history of the world.

According to the information of the concerned ministry, air-conditioned four-story and three-story model mosques and Islamic cultural centers are being constructed step by step across the country. These mosques have 14 special facilities.

These are - digital registration system for performing Hajj along with training of pilgrims in mosques, facilities for separate ablution and prayer for men and women, separate system for praying with toilets for disabled Muslims, Islamic book selling center, Islamic library, autism corner, Imam training center, Islamic research and religionDawa activities, Holy Quran safe house, children and public education system, domestic and foreign tourist accommodation and guest house, dead body bathing and coffin carrying system, car parking facilities, accommodation of imam-muazzin and office for officials in the cultural center.1 thousand 200 people can pray together in these mosques. And the three-storied model mosque has a system for 900 people to pray together.

The Prime Minister inaugurated a total of 50 mosques across the country in the first phase on June 10, 2021. He inaugurated 50 model mosques in the second phase on January 16 this year. He will inaugurate 50 more mosques in the third phase today. Construction of the remaining mosques and Islamic Cultural Center will be completed by June 2024.

Under Category A, 69 four-storied mosques with elevator facilities and 2,360.09 square meters of floor space are being constructed in 64 districts and city corporation areas.

Under category B, 475 mosques with floor space of 1680.14 square meters each and 16 mosques with floor space of 2,052.12 square meters each are being constructed in coastal areas under category C.

Incidentally, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the Islamic Foundation and enacted the Islamic Foundation Act of 1975. Model mosques and Islamic cultural centers are being established across the country in keeping with Bangabandhu's ideology. Through this a strong Islamic organizational structure will be developed.

According to the information of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the areas where mosques and Islamic cultural centers are located are Sadar and Boalmari of Faridpur District of Dhaka Division, Rajbari District Sadar and Pangsha.

Akkelpur and Kalai of Joypurhat district of Rajshahi division, Sadar of Naogaon district, Patnitala, Nachol, Shibganj and Bholahat of Chapainawabganj district, Faridpur of Pabna district and Charghat, Tanor of Rajshahi district. Kurigram district headquarters of Rangpur division, Phulbari, Lalmonirhat district headquarters, Nilphamari district headquarters, Tentulia, Boda, Atwari of Panchagarh district, Taraganj of Rangpur district, Parvatipur of Dinajpur. Phulbaria, Nandail of Mymensingh district, Barhatta, Kendua and Madan upazilas of Netrokona district of Mymensingh division. Barisal District Headquarters of Barisal Division, Agailjhara.

Akhaura of Brahmanbaria district of Chittagong division, Faridganj of Chandpur district, Companyganj of Noakhali district, Sonaimuri, Sitakunda of Chittagong district, Laxmipur Sadar and Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati district. Alamdanga, Sadar, Damurhuda, Jibannagar in Chuadanga district of Khulna division, Kotchandpur of Jhenaidah district, Maheshpur, Terkhada of Khulna district, Daulatpur of Kushtia district, Mirpur, Fakirhat of Bagerhat district and Sadar of Jessore districtDr. MM Majed, the prominent researcher and founder chairman of National Patient Welfare Society of Bangladesh, wrote a column about today's issue. Dr. MM Majed wrote in his column... After 21 years, Awami League formed the government under the leadership of Bangabandhutanaya Sheikh Hasina. After that multifaceted conspiracies kept him away from national service for some time, but he re-formed the government with a huge majority in the 2008 elections.

Bangladesh has made unprecedented progress in the last 14 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh's GDP and SDG progress is now better than that of many powerful countries in the world.

In addition to various infrastructure and state development, national treasure Sheikh Hasina has also looked at religious and moral development. Following the path shown by his father, he took the initiative of racial reform and modernization. And for this reason, he has taken the initiative not only to build a place of worship for about 90 percent of the total population of the country, but also to develop it as a model.

Finally, I would like to say that the vision and vision of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has emerged in these model mosques. As long as he is there, no one will be able to 'press' the progress of Bangladesh. So many model mosques are a rare event for devout Muslims across the country. This achievement of Sheikh Hasina and her compassion and love for Muslims will become history.

The construction of this mosque is not the end. Even before this, he has taken various steps to spread the message of peace and love for Muslims. Among these are the recognition of the charter of Qaumi Madrasa, the establishment of Darul Arkam Madrasa, the establishment of an independent Arabic university for Aliya Madrasa. After playing this landmark role for Muslims, the latest initiative taken by the current government to build 560 model mosques across the country is highly commendable. From the religious point of view, its importance and significance is immense. Where the government is doing it with its own funding. It certainly deserves praise.

Bangladesh will one day be a model state in the heart of the world. And Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will live forever among those who believe in Bangladesh and hold the ideals of the liberation warThe groundbreaking contribution of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his illustrious daughter leader Sheikh Hasina in the promotion and spread of Islam will forever be written in golden letters in the history of Bangladesh. And his privileged daughter is making a huge contribution to the propagation of Islam during the reign of the honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. I wish Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina good health and long life because of this great service to Islam. Grant all the members of Bangabandhu and his family a high station in Jannat. Amen!

Writer, Columnist, researcher and political analyst