Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. File Photo

DHAKA, Feb 05, 2025 (BSS): Chief Justice (CJ) Syed Refaat Ahmed today called upon the countrymen to ensure the peaceful coexistence of all religions in the country by maintaining the dignity of all places of worship including mosques and shrines.

"Let us make a collective commitment to uphold the dignity of our mosques, shrines and indeed all places of worship. A commitment to work for a society, built on the principles of mutual coexistence of all religions, the foundation of which will be justice, compassion and unity,” he said.

The CJ was speaking as the chief guest at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Supreme Court Mosque and Shrine Complex today.

“Mosques and shrines have always played a significant role in shaping our spiritual and social lives for long not only as places of prayer, but also as centres of learning and acquiring knowledge. Like the great scholars of early Islam, we continue to practice the pursuit of knowledge in the mosques with joy today,” he said.

“So it is indeed our collective responsibility to ensure the sanctity of all mosques and shrines across the country," Refaat Ahmed said.

 He said apart from the pursuit of knowledge, mosques and shrines serve as powerful symbols of unity, especially in this particular part of the world.
 
Regardless of social or economic status, everyone stands shoulder to shoulder in the mosque to pray, which reinforces the values of equality and humility, he observed.

Beyond the mere structure, a mosque in particular is actually a spiritual strength that resides in the hearts of believers as “it is a place where we reconnect with our Creator. We find peace within our hearts by contemplating our purpose in life."

He called upon the countrymen to build a society based on mutual respect and tolerance that translates into actions,  benefit the entire humanity and make the world a better place.

Supreme Court Shrine and Mosque Administration Committee Chairman and Appellate Division Justice S. M. Emdadul Hoque chaired the event while Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul and Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain were present as special guests.
Speaking on the occasion, Asif Nazrul said the mosque’s design should be made in consistence with the design of the structures of the Supreme Court.

In Islam, mosques are not just places of prayer, there is a social system at the centre of the mosque where religious education and many discussions take place within the mosque, he said.

Regardless of religion, mosques and other places of prayers are important parts of life, he said.
The religious adviser said Bangladesh is a country of different religions. “We are all trying from our own places to maintain our sincere harmony. No one can destroy this harmony even if they want to, we will be strict against anyone who tries to do so," he said.

Shamim Akhtar, Chief Engineer of the Housing and Public Works Department, presented a slide on the construction project of the Mazar-e-Mosque building located in the Bangladesh Supreme Court premises.

The Supreme Court Mazar-e-Mosque construction project was approved by the ECNEC on December 6, 2023.
Its construction cost is TK 110.58 crore. A four-story mosque with two basements will be built where there will be facilities for men and women to pray and car parking and 2,500 people will be able to pray together.

The project plan mentions that there will be facilities for a madrasa, library, langarkhana and a mortuary bath.

The Chief Engineer hoped the work will be completed by December this year.