Help govt root out terrorism

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the ulema of Qawmi madrasas to motivate people against the spread of terrorism and to help the government's efforts to eliminate this social menace from the country.

"Please motivate the people to engage them in the anti-terrorism movement," she said.

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The PM made the call when a group of ulema (Islamic scholars) of Qawmi madrasas, led by Maulana Asharaf Ali, met her at her parliament office.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

He told journalists that Hasina said a huge number of students who were receiving education in Qawmi madrasas across the country should be brought into the mainstream.

"To ensure cent percent literacy rate in the country, there's no scope to leave any part of society behind," she said.

The PM also assured the ulema of extending all-out support from the government to develop the country's Qawmi education.

The ulema thanked the PM for her announcement to give certificates to the Qawmi madrasa graduates.

They recalled the contributions of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman towards flourishing Islam in the country.

They said Bangabandhu had given a land to establish "markaz" of Tabligh Jamaat in the country, and praised the PM for giving 160 acres of land for Biswa Ijtema.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and PM's adviser HT Imam, among others, were present at the meeting.  In another development yesterday, Hasina reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to remain beside Afghanistan for establishing peace there.

"We'll continue our support and stay beside Afghanistan to establish peace in that country," she said.

The PM said this when outgoing Afghan Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdul Rahim Oraz met her at her parliament office.