Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Aug 20, 2026 (BSS) - Religious leaders have been urged to come forward and play a greater role in preventing violence against children by mobilizing moral and religious values across families and communities.

The call was made at a workshop titled "Prevention of Violence Against Children and Child Protection", held today at the conference room of the Islamic Foundation in Rajshahi.

World Vision Bangladesh's Rajshahi City Area Development Program organized the workshop, attended by religious leaders from different faiths and representatives of religious institutions.

Muhammad Imamul Islam, Director of the Rajshahi Divisional Office of the Islamic Foundation, attended the event as the chief guest. He said children are a trust from Allah and no form of abuse, neglect or violence against them can be accepted.

He stressed that ensuring children's safety is a shared responsibility of families, communities and religious institutions. Religious leaders, he said, can play a particularly important role as they maintain close and regular contact with people.

"We must work together to prevent violence against children by raising awareness through mosques, temples and churches," he said.

The workshop was conducted by Ripon Halder, Program Officer of Rajshahi City ADP, while Philip Arinda, Program Officer of World Vision Bangladesh Rajshahi ADPCO, delivered the welcome address.

Philip Arinda outlined World Vision Bangladesh's child protection activities, saying the organization works to ensure children's health, education, safety and protection while also addressing poverty and injustice in families and communities.

Hafez Abdullah Al Mamun, Khatib of the Metropolitan Model Mosque, and Jahangir Alam, Field Officer of the Islamic Foundation Rajshahi, discussed the role and responsibilities of religious leaders in preventing violence against children from an Islamic perspective.

Arun Kumar Satya, priest of the Ramakrishna Ashram, and Shankar Chakraborty, priest of the Nowhata Shivakali Mata Temple in Paba upazila, spoke from the perspective of Hinduism.

Father Fabian Marandi, Vicar General and Parish Priest of the Uttam Meshpalak Cathedral, highlighted the Christian perspective.

The workshop discussed measures religious leaders can take to prevent physical and mental abuse of children, child marriage, child labour, sexual harassment and other forms of risks and violence.

Participants also emphasized spreading child protection messages through religious sermons, counselling, community engagement and social media.

Speakers said law enforcement alone cannot prevent violence against children; changing attitudes within families and society is equally important. They stressed the need to create a safe environment for children by promoting religious values, humanity and social responsibility.

They also said religious institutions can serve as important platforms for raising awareness and strengthening child protection at the grassroots level.

World Vision Bangladesh Rajshahi Senior Program Officer Nilu Begum, Junior Program Officers Sharmin Akhtar Suravi and Arjun Roy, along with other officials and employees, attended the workshop.