CHATTOGRAM, July 04 (V7N) – Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain, the Religion Affairs Adviser, asserted today that a focus on religious practice by every member of society would lead to a reduction in the crime rate. He made these remarks as the chief guest during a ceremony where he laid the foundation stone for a new model mosque and inaugurated the construction work of two other mosques, collectively costing Tk 40 crore, in Hathazari, Raojan, and Rangunia upazilas of the Chattogram district.

The Adviser emphasized that the government has invested Tk 13 crore in building this particular model mosque, and now the responsibility for its maintenance falls to the local community. He urged the establishment of a "mosque-based society" where everyone regularly attends the mosque, keeps it functional, and offers the five daily prayers. He stressed that prayers free individuals from negative deeds, awaken a sense of morality, and uphold human values.

These mosques are part of the broader "Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Center Construction Project," under which the Islamic Foundation (IF) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs is constructing 564 such centers nationwide. These multi-purpose complexes are designed to promote accurate Islamic knowledge, combat extremism, and offer various community services. The three-storey mosque complex inaugurated today has arrangements for 1,200 people to pray at once and includes a wide array of facilities such as:

A place for bathing the deceased

Car parking

Imam and Muazzin training facilities

An orphanage

Islamic book exhibition and sales center

Islamic Foundation office

Kitchen and dining facilities

Islamic Research Center

Mass education system

Hajj booking system

Islamic library

Living quarters for Imam, teacher, and Muazzin

Guest rooms

Conference room

Autism corner

The Adviser also highlighted improvements in Hajj management, noting that this year, "Neither a single pilgrim faced harassment at the country's airport, nor anyone became victim of harassment while going to Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj. No one went missing. Besides, this time, houses were rented for the pilgrims near the Kaaba at a low cost reducing expense of the pilgrims."

Following the ceremony, the Adviser offered Jumma prayers at the newly inaugurated mosque. Mufti Md. Jasim Uddin, head of Hathazari Boro Madrasa, delivered the Khutba and led the prayers, with a large number of devotees praying for the welfare of the country, the nation, and the current government for constructing the beautiful mosque.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Md. Awal Hawlader, Director General of the Islamic Foundation, A. Salam Khan, and Project Director, Md. Shahidul Alam, among others, were present and spoke at the event.

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