SANGSAD BHABAN, June 6, 2024 (BSS) - The government is planning to disburge interest-free loan among imams, sebayets and priests to make them self-reliant.

"Our government is planning to make imams, sebayets and priests self-reliant by providing interest-free loan," Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali told the House while delivering his budget speech today.

"We will continue providing financial assistance for infrastructural development of mosques, madrasas, Eidgahs, cemeteries, temples, cremation grounds, pagodas, churches and other places of worship," he added.

The finance minister said the government is working to establish a liberal society which will be tolerant and ready to establish a society of communal harmony irrespective of religion through the development of religious values and ethical standards.
 
He said E-Hajj system has been introduced so that the Hajj pilgrims can complete all relevant formalities properly.
 
An agreement has been signed between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia as 'Makkah Road Service' to carry out pre-arrival immigration of Hajj pilgrims in Bangladesh, Mahmood Ali said.

"We have a vision to setting up smart Hajj Management System in 2041 through e-Hajj. In order to impart Islamic knowledge and culture we are constructing 564 model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in all districts and upazilas," he said.
 
The finance minister said a total of 300 such model mosques have already been inaugurated forperforming religious rites and another 100 mosques will be inaugurated in fiscal 2024-25.