Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid addressed the inauguration of the newly constructed Bagatipara Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre at Natore today. Photo : BSS

NATORE, Feb 22, 2025(BSS) - Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid today said good governance would be ensured in the country through bringing reforms in various institutions.

“Reforms process is progressing in the country to establish good governance…Good governance would be established through reforms in various departments,” he said.

The minister was inaugurating the newly constructed Bagatipara Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre here. Public Works Department (PWD) constructed the model mosque involving Taka 13.53 crore.

Mentioning that people from the Hindu, Muslim, Buddha, Christian religions and different small ethnic groups are the citizens of this country, he said that they all have contributions to all achievements of the country during the last 54 years.

In this connection, he said the present government has been working relentlessly to highlight the country before the world community as an example of communal harmony. 

Referring to reported attacks on the place of worships of Hindus across the country, the minister categorically said the government is committed to bring the culprits to book for trial if any attack on any place of worships or believers is taken place.

“Many nations in the world have been developed enough after their independence but compared to that we could not advance such a level due to our looting mentality,” he said. 

The crime tendency in the society can be reduced if we can establish a society with religious mentality,” the adviser said adding that they want to make a crime-free society with communal harmony.

The interim government has been working to ensure communal harmony and the religious affairs ministry stands by the side of the people of the Hindu, Buddha and Christian communities, Dr Khalid said adding that all the people of the country are equal and their rights are also equal.

Chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of Natore Asma Shaheen, the function was addressed, among others, by Police Super Md Amjad Hossain, Bagatipara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ha-meem Tabassum Prova and PWD Executive Engineer Amit Kumar Deb.

Later in the afternoon, the adviser inaugurated Lalpur Upazila Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre constructed at a cost of Taka 14.17 crore. 

A total of 920 devotees including 120 women would be able to offer their prayers at a time at the two-storied model mosque with 25,000 square feet areas. 

There will be spaces for Islamic Foundation office, Imam training centre, Hajj pilgrims’ registration office, Islamic research centre and library, autism corner, orphanage, bath place for dead bodies, car parking area, accommodation facilities for the imams, muazzins and khadems, guest room and a conference centre.