AL regime's model mosque spending 'reprehensible', probe to be ordered: Home minister

Highlights:

• Probe ordered into every model mosque project
• Cost allegedly jumped from Tk13cr to Tk21cr
• Minister calls alleged irregularities 'reprehensible'
• Government may involve multiple agencies in investigation
• 13,949 religious leaders receiving government honorarium
• Reserved-seat MPs represent all of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today (13 July) described the cost escalation of model mosque construction from Tk13 crore to Tk21 crore during the previous Awami League government as "highly reprehensible and disgraceful", adding the government will order separate investigations into the quality and expenditure of every model mosque.

The home minister said those responsible for irregularities committed in the name of Islam would be identified and brought under scrutiny.

He made the remarks while responding on behalf of the religious affairs minister to a supplementary question from Noakhali-2 MP Zainul Abdin Farroque during the question-and-answer session in parliament.

"We will instruct the relevant ministry to separately investigate the construction and expenditure of every model mosque to identify those involved in these irregularities," he said.

The minister alleged that numerous projects had been undertaken during the previous "fascist" government's tenure with the intention of siphoning off public funds.

"Irregularities committed in the name of mosques constitute not only corruption but also a form of disrespect towards religion," he added.

Salahuddin Ahmed also referred to economist Debapriya Bhattacharya's white paper, saying it had highlighted large-scale corruption in mega projects through inflated costs and repeated extensions. The government would examine whether the model mosque project followed the same pattern, he said, adding that other state agencies could be involved in the investigation if necessary.

Earlier, MP Zainul Abdin Farroque alleged that many model mosques had not been constructed to an acceptable standard and had developed defects shortly after completion.

He said rainwater leaks through the roof of the model mosque in his Senbagh constituency and access to the mosque is also difficult, despite its construction cost being increased from Tk13 crore to Tk21 crore.

Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal also commented on a model mosque in his constituency, saying a large pond in front of the mosque makes access difficult for worshippers.

"Locals jokingly call it the 'Taj Mahal'," he said, adding that a bridge would be needed to improve access.

In the same sitting, responding on behalf of the religious affairs minister to a question from Narsingdi-1 MP Khairul Kabir Khokon, the home minister said the government is working to bring imams, muezzins, khadems, priests, sebaits and Buddhist religious leaders across the country under the existing honorarium programme in line with its election manifesto.

He said 13,949 religious leaders have already been brought under the scheme.

Meanwhile, responding to a question from Chattogram-15 MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad said Bangladesh currently has 5,37,550.98 acres of registered waqf property, of which 27.53 acres have so far been recovered from illegal occupiers.

Reserved-seat MPs represent all of Bangladesh

The home minister also said women MPs elected to reserved seats do not have any specific geographical constituency, as their constituency is the whole of Bangladesh under the Constitution.

The minister made the remarks while responding to a point of order raised by opposition MP Akhtar Hossain regarding the responsibilities and electoral constituencies of reserved-seat women lawmakers.

Replying to the opposition lawmaker's question, Salahuddin outlined the government's policy position and the relevant constitutional provisions, saying that members elected to reserved seats represent the entire country rather than any particular geographical constituency.