Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed ruled in the Bangladesh National Parliament that members may show respect to the Speaker’s chair or the presiding officer according to their respective religious customs. The decision was announced on Thursday during a parliamentary session following a request raised earlier by Jamaat-e-Islami MP Md. Mujibur Rahman, who questioned whether bowing as a sign of respect conflicted with Islamic principles.

The Speaker explained that under Rule 267 of the parliamentary procedure, members must show respect when entering, leaving, or taking their seats in the chamber. However, he noted that the word “bowing” had been removed from the rule during the eighth parliament after a standing committee review and subsequent approval by the House. This amendment means that members are no longer required to physically bow.

By clarifying the rule, the Speaker emphasized that MPs are free to follow their own religious practices when showing respect in Parliament, aligning parliamentary decorum with individual faith traditions.