Bangladesh’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad), told Parliament that the government does not have precise statistics on how many imams and muezzins are currently employed across the country. Citing a 2020 estimate, he said there were 331,125 mosques, suggesting the number of imams and muezzins could be around 662,250. He made the statement on June 25, 2026, in response to a parliamentary question from Narsingdi-1 MP Khairul Kabir Khokon.

The minister added that under the government’s election pledge to provide monthly honoraria to imams, muezzins, and khadems, 12,810 individuals have so far been included. He also discussed several ongoing projects, including mosque-based education programs, Hindu temple-based education initiatives, and the construction of 564 model mosques and Islamic cultural centers, of which 342 have been completed and 186 are under construction.

He further noted that efforts continue to promote moral education, religious tolerance, and anti-extremism awareness among youth and religious leaders. The minister also reported that 151.1795 acres of illegally occupied Waqf property had been recovered in the past year.