Why does corruption persist despite so many scholars, mosques and madrasas: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said society must reflect on why corruption, injustice, theft and money laundering are not decreasing despite countless Muslims, mosques, madrasas, imams and scholars in the country. He said, “People show great enthusiasm in building a mosque, but where does that enthusiasm go when it comes to building good human beings— I cannot understand.”

He made the remarks on Saturday, November 22, at a discussion organised at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital, attended by mosque-based mass education caretakers of the Islamic Foundation.

Mirza Fakhrul said effective initiatives to implement religious values and ethics in society have become essential. Citing Indonesia as an example, he said, “There, regardless of whether the government is communist or Islamic, no state decision is taken bypassing the powerful democratic Association of Ulema.” According to him, Bangladesh lacks such strong institutional structures.

The BNP secretary general said BNP is a liberal democratic party, and without democracy, no religious or social rights can be established. He alleged that during the last 15–16 years under Sheikh Hasina’s government, rights ranging from voting to religious practice have been undermined.

He further said that some religious scholars have conferred the title ‘Mother of Qawmi’ on Sheikh Hasina— something that raises many questions. He alleged that due to the Awami League’s politicisation, key national institutions are on the verge of destruction. He announced that if BNP comes to power, the Islamic Foundation will be transformed into a fully state-run institution and integrated into the revenue sector.

Mirza Fakhrul said every day newspapers report various wrongdoings. Yet, he said, if educational institutions, madrasas, schools, teachers and families were strengthened as centres of moral education, serious crimes such as murder, robbery and extortion would have reduced significantly. He stressed that moral education must be taken as a national priority.

At the discussion, he urged everyone to unite for a fair, transparent and acceptable election. He said that only such an election can lead to a democratic government and an effective parliament where national issues can be raised and addressed— which would reflect the true will of the people.