Prime Minister Tarique Rahman hosted a reception for Bangladeshi Hafez who won prizes at an international Holy Quran recitation competition held in Saudi Arabia last August. Congratulating the winners, the Prime Minister said the government would make every effort to recognize, at the state level, the achievements of Bangladeshi citizens who bring honor to the country through their talent, merit and dedication.
The reception was held on Thursday at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Secretariat to honor the Hafez who won prizes at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Holy Quran Competition in Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the winners, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said, “The prizes you have won are not only your personal achievements; I believe they are an achievement for all Muslims in Bangladesh.”
Referring to the importance of encouraging and honoring Hafez, he said, “Almost all of you have mentioned that Hafez have been encouraged and honored after a long time. It is a policy of the present government that when the children of this country, who are the future of the nation, achieve something through their merit and talent, the government will try to recognize those achievements at the state level.”
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of encouraging talented people and ensuring their proper recognition. “If we can encourage talented people and evaluate them properly, future generations and the country will certainly benefit. The country and its people will be benefited,” he said.
He said the government had been trying to encourage talented and qualified individuals since taking office, adding that inviting the Hafez who won prizes in the international competition was part of that initiative.
During the programme, teachers from the madrasas represented by the prize-winning Hafez raised several issues and problems with the Prime Minister. Tarique Rahman said he would discuss the matters with the relevant minister and explore possible solutions.
“You have mentioned some problems. We will see whether there is any way to solve them and, if so, what can be done. Insha’Allah, we will certainly try to address them to the extent possible,” he said.
The Prime Minister also assured the participants of government support for taking part in international Quran competitions in the future.
“There may be more competitions of this kind in the future. If you need any government assistance to participate in such competitions, please inform us through the proper channels. We will take whatever measures are possible on behalf of the government,” he said.
“We want our boys and girls to participate in international competitions like these and, through their participation, bring honor and glory to themselves, the country and its people,” the Prime Minister added.
Calling for collective efforts to establish peace and bring positive change to the country, he said, “Our ways of working may be somewhat different, but our goal is the same. That is to establish peace in the country so that we can all live well and peacefully. Our effort and initiative are aimed at ensuring that people can live with dignity.”
Seeking everyone’s cooperation and prayers for the government, the Prime Minister said, “We want to work for the country and its people. We want to move forward together with everyone and bring positive changes to the country for the benefit of all.”
During the ceremony, the Prime Minister presented books to the prize-winning Hafez. Earlier, he listened to the winners recite verses from the Surahs they had recited during the competition and for which they received their awards.
At the competition held in Saudi Arabia, Bangladeshi Hafez Mohammad Zakaria secured first place in the 15-juz category for Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation among participants from 133 countries.
Hafez Sheikh Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Ashrafi secured third place in the 30-juz Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category. In addition, Hafeza Rabeta Binte Ramzan won third place in the 15-juz category, while Hafeza Musfira Binte Mahmud secured third place in the 30-juz Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category.
Among others, Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, State Minister Shamim Kaisar, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister A.B.M. Abdus Sattar were present at the event.
The teachers of the prize-winning Hafez—including Qayyum Molla, Mueenuddin Majumdar, Abu Bakar, Sajeda Khatun and Maulana Rafiqul Islam—were also present.