Qawmi education, Hefajat not same

Dealing with the issue of Islamist group Hefajat-e-Islam is not similar to recognising the Qawmi madrasa certificates, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said yesterday.

These two issues are quite different, and they must not be mixed up, he told reporters after inaugurating a new building for Jhinagati Police Station in Sherpur.

The home minister said recognising Qawmi madrasa certificates is an old issue and that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met the demand considering all aspects. It is also different from militancy, he further said.

The home boss urged people not to be overly critical of the recognition of Qawmi madrasa certificates, saying it was a pending demand.

“It was necessary to recognise Qawmi madrasas. Several lakh of students are studying there. They were recognised so that they can be self-dependent along side serving Islam,” said the minister.

His comments came after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently announced that the government will recognise the Dawra degree of Qawmi madrasas, making it equivalent to the master's degree.

She made the announcement at a meeting with some 350 representatives of Qawmi madrasas at Gono Bhaban.

The home minister yesterday said the government took initiatives to replace old buildings of the police stations. It will help the force do their duty with ease and provide best service to people, he added.

In the afternoon, the home minister attended a programme on community policing against militancy and drug abuse, on the Jhinagati Pilot High School playground.