Religious Affairs Minister Warns of Strict Legal Steps to Stop Sexual Abuse in Madrasas
Describing incidents of sexual abuse in madrasas as extremely saddening, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad has warned that the government will take strict legal steps to prevent the recurrence of such crimes in future.
He gave the warning while talking to journalists after attending the triennial council session of the Bangladesh National Imam Samity at Agargaon in the capital on Saturday morning.
The minister said imams have been called upon to provide effective guidance to create awareness among the general public so that such unwanted and heinous incidents do not happen again in the sacred arena of religious education.
His remarks came at a time when there is concern among guardians and the general public about the safety of students in madrasa educational institutions. He presented ensuring the protection of child and adolescent students in educational institutions as the main reason for the government's strict position.
Earlier, addressing imams who had joined the council session from across the country, he warned that they must play a responsible role so that no party can spread incitement with dishonest intent to destroy the country's existing religious harmony.
As religious figures have wide acceptance in society, he called on the alem community to speak strongly in Friday khutbas against drugs, extremism and social crimes. Through this call he urged imams to be more active in social awareness work.
During the council session, leaders of the National Imam Samity raised demands for an increase in their salary and allowances and the resolution of various professional problems, and expected a remedy from the minister. The professional demands of imams also received importance at the session.
Two aspects came up together in the minister's remarks — on one hand the government's strict legal position on abuse incidents in madrasas, and on the other the importance placed on the role of imams in protecting religious harmony and standing against social crimes.
Madrasa education is a large part of the country's education system. Ensuring the safety of students studying there is an important responsibility for educational institutions, guardians and the administration alike. The government's announcement of strict steps recalls that responsibility.
However, exactly what specific legal steps will be taken was not announced in detail as of the writing of this report. According to the minister's warning, the aim of government action will be to prevent the recurrence of such crimes in future.
The minister's presence and speech at the Imam Samity council are also being seen as a message to the country's imam community — from the place of religious education and social responsibility, they must remain active in protecting students and preserving harmony.
All in all, the announcement of the government's strict position to stop sexual abuse in madrasas is an important message on the question of student protection. Guardians and those connected with education will now watch how this announcement is implemented.
