BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman virtually addressed the Imam and Khatib Conference at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center in the capital. Photo: BSS

If elected, BNP will adopt justice as core principle of state governance: Tarique Rahman  

DHAKA, Nov 23, 2025 (BSS) - BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today said just as there was no doubt among Muslims or non-Muslims, believers and non-believers about the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad’s (PBUH) sense of justice, BNP will also adopt justice as its core principle of state governance. 

“There was never any doubt or hesitation among Muslims or non-Muslims, believers or non-believers, regarding the justice of the Holy Prophet. Upholding the ideals of that justice of the Holy Prophet, the guiding principle of BNP in governing the state and the government will be justice,” he said.

Tarique Rahman added: “Inspired by the Prophet’s ideal of justice, BNP seeks the prayers and support of all respected imams, khatibs, muezzins, Islamic scholars, and spiritual leaders (pirs and mashayekh) in the upcoming election to build a justice-based Bangladesh.”

He made the remarks while virtually addressing the Imam and Khatib Conference at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center in the capital.

Tarique Rahman announced that, if BNP is given the opportunity to form the government in the upcoming national election in February, the party will gradually introduce “honorary allowances” for imams and muezzins. To enhance their financial stability, the Imam–Muezzin Welfare Trust will be strengthened and new multipurpose projects will be initiated, he said.

Full text of his speech is given below: 

Today’s conference is not like other ordinary political conferences or gatherings. At this conference, people from different spheres of the state and society are present, and for all of us who have joined, every believing Muslim has just one wish, one aspiration, one prayer: “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ajaban-nar”
“O Lord, grant us good in this world and welfare in the Hereafter, and save us from the torment of the Fire.” This is our prayer to Allah.

Compared to ordinary Muslim devotees, you naturally possess the most authentic and refined knowledge of Islam. Yet, from the standpoint of a practicing Muslim and a political activist—with only the basic understanding that common believers hold—I can say that without unconditional faith in three core concepts—Tawhid (Oneness of Allah), Risalah (Prophethood), and Akhirah (the Hereafter)—no one can truly be considered a believing Muslim.

For every believer, the five fundamental pillars of Islam—Kalima, Namaz (prayer), Roza (fasting), Hajj, and Zakat—are obligatory. There is no alternative to these principles. In fact, we observe that the global Muslim ummah maintains complete unity on these five pillars; there is no disagreement on them. However, differences of opinion do emerge among Islamic scholars regarding the methods and processes of implementing these teachings in individual and social life, as well as concerning the political misuse of Islam for narrow partisan interests.

BNP, as a political party, believes that full trust in Allah and upholding the honor and dignity of the Prophet (PBUH) allow for sincere research on Islam without any obstacles. However, disagreements on religious issues, differing opinions, or politically motivated interpretations of religious rulings can sometimes lead to social unrest.

In this context, as a party that believes in Islamic values, BNP thinks that leading scholars, imams, and khateebs can play a constructive and guiding role to ensure that differences of opinion or disputes over Islamic rulings do not create discord in the state or among ordinary believing Muslims.

In light of Islamic values, the BNP stands for a welfare-oriented society, government, and state system where Muslims can live their lives according to the Quran and Sunnah without hesitation. They will be able to perform acts of worship safely and confidently.
 
Similarly, people of other religions will also be able to practice their respective faiths and cultures securely and peacefully. The BNP has never compromised on the fundamental principles or core beliefs of Islam, and it will not do so in the future, Insha’Allah.

Among you are elderly members who undoubtedly know that the fallen, defeated, and fugitive authoritarian party, which once held state power in independent Bangladesh, drafted the constitution according to its own wishes, without reflecting the aspirations of the majority of the country’s population.

The founder of BNP and the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, upon taking responsibility for running the state, included “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim” in the Constitution. He also incorporated the phrase “faith and trust in Almighty Allah” in the Constitution.

Currently, the phrase “faith and trust in Almighty Allah” is not kept in the Constitution in that way. I leave this question before you: why was it not included in this way?

BNP has always been vocal against any attempts that go against the interests of Islam and Muslims. The fallen, defeated, and fugitive dictatorship tried in various ways to demean Islam, Muslims, and Islamic culture in the state and society. You surely remember that in 2024, during the holy month of Ramadan, a sudden ban was imposed on Muslims’ religious cultural practice of organizing Iftar gatherings. This was not an isolated incident; it was part of a far-reaching conspiracy against Islamic values and culture in Bangladesh. At that time, BNP strongly protested this misconduct.

In 2013, in Shapla Square in the capital, a crackdown was carried out on thousands of Hefazat-e-Islam leaders and supporters likewise the attack of the occupational forces. In protest against mass killings and in support of Hefazat-e-Islam, BNP organized nationwide programs, including a two-day hartal (strike).

Considering the importance of certificates in any profession or employment, the initiative to recognize the highest degree of Qawmi madrasa students, Dawra-e-Hadith (Takmeel), as equivalent to a Master’s degree, was taken during the tenure of Begum Khaleda Zia’s government in 2006.

Currently, the country has over 50,000 madrasas of various levels, including Qawmi and Alia, both government and private, whether registered or unregistered. Millions of students are studying in these madrasas. Across the country, under both government and private management, there are approximately 350,000 mosques. Around 17 lakh imams, khatibs, and muazzins are performing religious duties in these mosques.

Sustainable development in the country can never be achieved if millions of mosques, madrasas, imams, muazzins, and madrasa students are kept outside state-driven progressive initiatives. Recognizing this reality, the BNP has formulated a clear action plan in its future agenda regarding this matter.

At today’s conference of the Combined Imam-Khatib Council, several demands concerning the interests of ulema, imams, khatibs, and muazzins have been raised. There are scopes to fulfill many of the demands you have presented on a priority basis. You have requested the formulation of a service rule for imams, khatibs, and muazzins. This demand of yours is entirely reasonable. In many mosques, the employment of imams and muazzins depends on the whims or preferences of the mosque committees, which should not be the case. I consider such treatment as unjust behavior against imams and muazzins.

By the grace of Allah, if the BNP is given the responsibility to run the country, it will place top priority on formulating and implementing service rules. The other demands placed before the party would be addressed through effective measures. Relevant stakeholders to form one or more committees on their own initiative to evaluate the qualifications and experience required for implementing each demand and to prepare specific recommendations accordingly.

BNP firmly believes that imams, khatibs, and muazzins across the country each play an essential role as social reformers. Despite various limitations, they devote their time to nurturing the moral and spiritual well-being of the people—an invaluable contribution to building a morally upright society inspired by religious values.  

Therefore, BNP believes that the state has a responsibility to extend necessary financial support to those imams and muazzins who are economically disadvantaged. In this context, the BNP plans to provide a fixed monthly honorarium allowance from state funds for imams and muazzins facing financial hardship.

If BNP gets the opportunity to run  the country following the upcoming national election in February, the party will gradually implement its plan to introduce these honorarium allowances. At the same time, initiatives will be taken to further strengthen the Imam-Muazzin Welfare Trust and expand its multipurpose programs to help them achieve greater financial stability.

In 1993, during a previous BNP government, the mosque-based child and mass education programme was launched for the first time, and it continues to this day. Looking ahead, the BNP intends to involve imams and muazzins in disaster preparedness as well as district, upazila, and local-level development initiatives.

Honesty, competency, capability, and skill are essential for any profession or career. The BNP also expects constructive plans and recommendations from the community on what further initiatives can be undertaken centring the country’s numerous mosques.

The last one and a half decades of “subservient rule and exploitation” have once again proven that national unity is essential to safeguard faith, Islam, and the country’s independence and sovereignty. Hence, the upcoming national election is of immense significance for securing the freedom and welfare of the people.

As a Muslim believer, I this time wished to share one personal aspiration. Even during the era of ignorance, those who opposed the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) still recognized and acknowledged him as a “just” person. There was no doubt among Muslims or non-Muslims regarding the Prophet’s fairness. Upholding the Prophet’s ideal of justice, the BNP’s guiding principle in running the state and governance will be justice. Inspired by this ideal, the party seeks to build a just and equitable Bangladesh.  Accordingly, the BNP seeks the prayers and support of the nation’s imams, khatibs, muazzins, Islamic scholars, and spiritual leaders in the upcoming election.

In conclusion, I sought prayers for myself, for my mother, for all BNP leaders, activists, supporters, and for the people of the country. The Allah would grant me the opportunity to implement every righteous deed for the welfare of the nation. I thanked wholeheartedly the Sammilito Imam-Khatib Parishad for organizing such a meaningful gathering.