Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that if zakat management is implemented through proper planning and target-based distribution, it can play an important role in reducing poverty in the country within the next one to one and a half decades.
He made the remarks at an iftar party organized in honor of scholars, ulama, mashaykhs and orphans on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan at the state guest house Jamuna in the capital on Saturday.
The Prime Minister said that there are currently about 40 million families in the country. Among them, if poor and very poor families are identified and zakat is distributed in a planned manner, it can be helpful in improving the living standards of the economically backward people. According to her, if financial assistance can be provided to several lakh families in phases every year, then many families can become self-reliant in the coming years.
Addressing the scholars, he said that religious leaders have an important role in making the wealthy people of the society aware of the need to streamline the management of zakat. He urged them to take initiatives to create public awareness on this issue if it seems logical.
The Prime Minister also said that to increase the effectiveness of zakat management, the issue of restructuring the existing Zakat Board under the Ministry of Religion can be considered. It is possible to include Islamic scholars, scholars-ulama and relevant government officials.
Mentioning orphans as special guests at the Iftar ceremony, the Prime Minister said that the Quran and Hadith contain clear instructions on protecting the rights of orphans. Such an event has symbolic importance in instilling this sense of responsibility in the society.
Criticizing the trend of price hikes in essential commodities during the month of Ramadan, he said, “In this time of restraint and humanity, no one should increase people’s suffering for extra profit.” He also called on businessmen to behave responsibly.