Staff Reporter:
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said the government will work to further encourage Quran education and practice, alongside honouring Quran Hafez and students who have won awards at the international level.
“Present government is also committed to expanding religious education in the country and ensuring due dignity for Hafez and Alem,” he said.
The President said this as the winners of the 46th King Abdul Aziz International Holy Quran Competition paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this afternoon, said a press release from the President’s Press Wing.
Congratulating the winning contestants, their teachers-Ustads, guardians and all educational institutions concerned, the President said, “Achieving such success by competing with contestants from 133 countries around the world is a matter of great pride and joy for the nation.”
Reiterating the current government’s will to improve the quality of religious education, he recalled various initiatives taken by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to keep religious practices and religious institutions active and enriched.
During the meeting, the winning contestants thanked and expressed gratitude to the President for inviting them, their guardians and teachers to Bangabhaban.
Honouring meritorious students, Hafez and Alem would encourage people further in Quran practice and religious education, they said, requesting the government to take initiatives in this regard.
They demanded that Hafez who have brought pride to the country on the international stage be accorded due respect and dignity.
The President said the people of Bangladesh are religious and the majority of the population is Muslim and the people of this country have sacrificed a lot to uphold their religious values.
Among the winners who were present in the delegation led by Quran Education Mission, Bangladesh Chairman Maulana Md. Billal Hossain were Hafez Mohammad Zakaria, a student of Ar-Raihan International Madrasa, who secured first place, and Hafeza Rabeta Binte Ramzan, a student of Tanzimul Ummah Girls Hifz Madrasa, who secured third place, in the 15 Para Hifz, Tajweed and Beautiful Recitation category, and visually impaired Hafez Sheikh Md. Mahmudul Hasan (Ashrafi), a student of Markazul Madina Madrasa, who secured third place, and Hafeza Musfira Binte Mahmud, a student of Sauda Binte Jamah (R.) International Girls Madrasa, in the 30 Para Hifz, Tajweed and Beautiful Recitation category. Guardians and Ustads of the concerned winning contestants and directors of Quran Education Mission, were present during the meeting.
The President also presented President’s crest to the winning Hafez, and gave courtesy gifts to their family members and teachers.
President’s secretaries and senior officials were present during the meeting.
