Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman urged Islamic scholars to take a responsible leading role in social transformation at a national ulema representatives’ conference in Kakrail, Dhaka, on August 8. Speaking as chief guest, he said their responsibilities should extend beyond mosque leadership, sermons and religious advice, particularly during a critical period for the nation. The conference was held under the slogan, “Not division of opinion, but unity to build the Bangladesh of tomorrow.”

Rahman said scholars should centre their learning on the Quran and Sunnah, speak for truth and justice, and convey religious messages with wisdom, good counsel and respectful language. He urged them not to insult others over differences of opinion and to respond to provocation with patience and restraint. He also said both Alia and Qawmi streams of madrasa education were necessary and should receive respect and support.

The conference presented seven proposals, including stopping reductions in Islamic education at madrasas and colleges, nationalising Ebtedayee madrasas, and promptly implementing service rules and pay scales for imams and muezzins. Other proposals called for ending the denigration of religious scholars and ending killings and persecution of Muslims in Palestine and other countries.