Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday accorded a reception to four Bangladeshi Hafizs who won prizes at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition held in Saudi Arabia, saying the government will recognise the achievements of citizens who excel through their merit and ability.

“You have not only brought this achievement for yourselves. I believe it is an achievement of all Muslims in Bangladesh,” the Prime Minister said while speaking at a reception for the prize-winning Hafizs at the Cabinet Division conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Congratulating the winners, he also said it was the government’s policy to recognise the achievements of talented citizens.

“Almost all of you have mentioned that Hafizs have been encouraged and honoured after a long time. This is a policy of the present government that when the children of the country, who are the future of the country, achieve something good through their ability and merit, the government will try to recognise that achievement from the state’s position,” Tarique said.

He said encouraging talented people and properly assessing their merit would certainly benefit future generations and the country.

Tarique said the government has been trying to encourage talented and qualified people since taking office, and inviting the prize-winning Hafizs to the reception was part of that effort.

Teachers of the prize-winning Hafizs raised some of their problems with the Prime Minister.

Tarique said he would discuss the issues with the relevant minister and explore possible solutions.

“You have mentioned some problems. We will see, InshaAllah, whether there is any way to solve them and, if so, what that way is. We will certainly try to do whatever is possible from our side,” he said.

The Prime Minister also assured them of government support for participation in future international competitions.

“There may be more such competitions ahead. If government support is needed to participate in such competitions in the future, you will inform us through the proper channels. We will take whatever measures are possible from the government’s side,” he said.

Tarique said he wanted Bangladeshi boys and girls to participate in such international competitions and bring honour and glory to themselves, the country and its people.

Calling for collective efforts to establish peace and bring positive changes to the country, he said people might have different ways of working, but their goal was the same.

“That is to establish peace in the country so that everyone can live well and peacefully together. So that people can live like human beings. That is our effort, that is our initiative,” Tarique said.

Seeking everyone’s cooperation and prayers for the government, he said: “We want to work for the country and its people. We want to move forward together with everyone. We want to bring positive changes to the country together with everyone.”

The Prime Minister gifted books to the winners at the programme. Earlier, he listened to the Hafizs recite verses from the surahs through which they won prizes in the competition.

Among competitors from 133 countries, Hafiz Mohammad Zakaria of Bangladesh won first place in the 15-para Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category.

Hafiz Sheikh Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Ashrafi secured third place in the 30-para Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category.

Hafiza Rabeta Binte Ramzan and Hafiza Musfira Binte Mahmud also secured third place in the 15-para and 30-para Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation categories respectively.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad, State Minister Shamim Kaiser, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar were present, among others.

Teachers of the prize-winning Hafizs — Qayum Molla, Muinuddeen Majumder, Abu Bakar, Sajeda Khatun and Maulana Rafiqul Islam — were also present.