Masood Saidi, son of Allama Delwar Hossain Saidi, has strongly demanded the formulation of salary structure and policies for imams, muezzins and servants of all mosques across the country.

Advertisement

He made this demand at the upazila imam conference organized by Bangladesh National Imam Samiti at Zianagar Upazila Parishad Auditorium in Pirojpur on Saturday.

Referring to the economic plight of the country's imams, Masood Saeedi said that the country's imams, muezzins and khadems are going through a difficult time due to the rise in commodity prices and the current context. It is difficult for them to survive on very little salary. Millions of imam muezzins in the country have no pay scale, no dignity and security as religious persons. There is no policy in managing the mosque. In such a situation, I strongly demand the interim government to form a committee consisting of eminent scholars of the country to prepare the salary scale and employment policy for imams, muezzins and khadems of all mosques in the country.

Former Chairman of Jianagar Upazila, Masood Saidi said, in the eyes of Islam, Imamate is not a profession but it is a great responsibility. Emphasizing the work of the Imam, the Prophet (PBUH) prayed for the Imam and Muazzin by saying, 'The Imam is the guardian and the Muazzin is the depositor.'

Masood Saidi also said, Imamate is an important responsibility, so the Imam must be qualified for this work as well as he must have great qualities. He should be honest, devoted, pious and a scholar of God. An imam is not only the imam of the mosque but also the imam of the society. An Imam is the guide of humanity.

Discussing the duties of imams, Saidiputra said that imams will undertake various programs to inform the public about various aspects of Islam as well as to make them ideal citizens. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) performed the duty of imam in Masjid al-Nabawi. He did not restrict Masjid Nawabi only for prayers but he opened it for all activities of social development.

Masud Saeedi said, if we can build every mosque as a role model of the Prophet as shown by the Prophet, then our society will be enlightened by the light of education, illiteracy will be removed from the society, it will be possible to carry out public welfare work in the society.

He also said that just as the imam of the mosque is in charge of the bureaucratic reform of the nation, he is also fully responsible for religious reform and changing the perspective. Their main responsibility is to refute false beliefs and doctrines and root out wrong ideas. He also mentioned that it is the duty of the Imams to warn the nation about these conspiracies of the nullifying forces and to prevent protests if any voice against the monotheism of Allah is raised in the state or the message of the Prophet (PBUH) is insulted.

The Chief Guest of the Upazila Imam Conference, Masood Saeedi also said that instead of the sovereignty of Allah and obedience to the Messenger (PBUH), since independence, the sovereignty of the party and the obedience of the party leaders, laws and rules and authority have been going on. Due to which people are deprived of good governance and justice. Corruption, terrorism, disappearances, murders, rapes, drugs and other crimes against humanity are causing great suffering and unrest in the national life.

Maulana Mufti Abdul Halim, Pirojpur district president of Imam Samiti, was present as a special guest in the Upazila Imam Conference under the chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Jalil Howladar, President of Bangladesh National Imam Samiti Zianagar Upazila and conducted by Upazila Secretary Maulana Jamal Hossain.

Maulana Md., the former vice-principal of Togra Darul Islam Kamil Madrasah also spoke at the conference. Haroon Or Rashid, Ulama Division District Secretary Maulana Shaukat Ali, prominent Islamic thinker Maulana Yahya Hawladar, Bangladesh National Imam Association Pirojpur District Advisor. Habibur Rahman, Chief Advisor of Imam Samiti of Jianagar Upazila Maulana Md. Ali Hossain, Adviser. Tauhidur Rahman Ratul and advisor Maulana Md. Sarwar Hossain Molla.