President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said the Farewell Hajj Sermon of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) remains highly relevant to the entire humanity even today. "The great teachings on human dignity, equality, brotherhood, justice and mutual rights articulated in the Farewell Hajj Sermon of the Prophet (PBUH) remain highly relevant to the entire humanity even today," he said. Delivering the chief guest’s speech, the President made this remark while inaugurating the fortnight-long celebrations of Eid-e-Miladunnabi (PBUH)-1448 Hijri at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque this evening.
Relevance of the Prophet's Sermon
The President said there is no alternative to following the ideals of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to overcome the social evils including spread of violence, conflict, intolerance, discrimination, extremism, falsehood and moral degradation in today's world. He noted that the life and ideals of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are an eternal guide for humanity. "His character embodied a unique combination of truthfulness, justice, forgiveness, tolerance, humanity and profound compassion. He was compassionate toward the poor, orphans, helpless and oppressed people," he said.
Call for a Just Society
He emphasized the importance of learning from the life of the Prophet (PBUH), establishing human dignity in society and building a society based on justice and fairness. He said, "Almighty Allah sent the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to the world for the guidance, salvation and welfare of humanity. His arrival was a unique and unforgettable event in the history of human civilization and he was a mercy for the entire world." The president highlighted the example set by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) of establishing a social system, mutual rights and peaceful coexistence with people of other faiths to ensure communal harmony and religious coexistence and called on people to follow these in national life.
Vision for Bangladesh
"We want to build such a Bangladesh where religious people will freely practice their values, people of all religions will live safely with dignity, where justice, equality, human dignity and mutual harmony will be the foundations of the state and society," he said. At the time, he mentioned various development activities and contributions of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to the development of Islamic culture in Bangladesh and said the present government is committed to enhancing the dignity of religious leaders and ensuring their welfare. He said monthly honorarium allowances have already started being provided to imams, muazzins and khadems. Besides, the process of providing honorarium allowances to service providers at other religious places of worship has also begun, he noted.
Role of Religious Scholars
He said, "I hope that before 2030, as promised, all mosques and other religious places of worship in the country will come under the monthly honorarium allowance scheme." At the event, he said the role of the Alems (religious scholars) is important in eliminating corruption, drugs, terrorism, communal hatred, rumours, violence, violence against women and children, and intolerance from society. He expressed hope that they would inspire the younger generation with morality, patriotism and human values by highlighting the true teachings of Islam and the life and ideals of the Prophet (PBUH). Finally, declaring the inauguration of the Eid-e-Miladunnabi (PBUH)-1448 Hijri celebrations, he said, "I hereby declare the auspicious inauguration of the fortnight-long programme organised on the occasion of the holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi (PBUH) and wish overall success of all the programmes."
After his speech, the President unveiled the cover of the ‘Sirat Souvenir’ published on the occasion of Eid-e-Miladunnabi-1448. Later, the Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain presented the President with a set of the Al-Quranul Karim Encyclopedia as a souvenir. The programme began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran with Religious Affairs Minister in the chair. State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shamim Kaiser and Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Munshi Alauddin Al Azad addressed the programme as special guests. The Director General of the Islamic Foundation Mohammad Mohibbullahil Baqee delivered the welcome address while the Khatib of National Mosque conducted the Dua.
