Instigators of militancy must face music
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid yesterday directed alem and madrasa teachers to maintain communication with the students intensely to prevent them from being misled in the name of religion.
The alems (Islamic scholars) should make rigorous efforts to build public awareness at grassroots level against militancy by delivering religious sermon with proper explanation of Islam, the minister said.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Role of Alems to Combat Terrorism” organised by Islamic Arabic University of Dhaka at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh, where principals or senior teachers of some 1,270 Fazil and Kamil madrasas under the university were present.
“You (madrasa teachers) should keep your students under close surveillance. If you can notice anything suspicious in any student, you must inform that to guardians and law enforcers,” Nahid said.
Alems have to take the pioneering role to educate people with proper explanation of Islam, said the minister.
He emphasised on building a social movement and resistance against militancy, terrorism and misinterpretation of Islam.
There are some unscrupulous teachers who in many cases provoke students to be involved with militancy, they must be identified and terminated, the minister said.
University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan said imams should deliver anti-terror khutbas (sermons) during Juma prayer to raise awareness among people.
Education Secretary Sohorab Hossain said teachers must maintain one to one communication with each student to know about them and their movements, which will be one of the major ways to prevent children and youths from being involved with militancy.
Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman said awareness among guardians and teachers is the prime perquisite to combat terrorism.
Presiding over the function, Prof Muhammad Ahsan Ullah, vice-chancellor of Islamic Aravic University, asked the madrasa teachers to follow all the university directives to combat militancy and terrorism.
The university on July 18 issued eight-point directives that include strengthening surveillance on students and ensuring their class attendance. Several senior officials of the education ministry spoke at the function.
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