PM launches monthly honorarium for imams, other religious leaders
Under the initiative, a monthly allocation of Tk10,000 will be provided for mosques. Of this amount, imams will receive Tk5,000, muezzins Tk3,000, and khadems Tk2,000.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (14 March) launched a programme to provide monthly honorariums to mosque imams, muezzins, khadems and other religious leaders and staff working at places of worship.
The programme was formally inaugurated today at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, with Tarique attending the event as the chief guest.
According to a post on Tarique's official Facebook page, the move aims to fulfil one of its key election pledges aimed at strengthening religious and social harmony across the country.
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Under the initiative, a monthly allocation of Tk10,000 will be provided for mosques. Of this amount, imams will receive Tk5,000, muezzins Tk3,000, and khadems Tk2,000.
For temples, Buddhist monasteries and churches, the monthly allocation will be Tk8,000.
In temples, priests will receive Tk5,000 and caretakers Tk3,000.
In Buddhist monasteries, the abbot will receive Tk5,000 and the assistant abbot Tk3,000.
In churches, priests will receive Tk5,000 while assistant priests will get Tk3,000.
In addition to the monthly honorariums, the government will also provide annual festival allowances.
According to the programme details, a festival allowance of Tk1,000 will be provided during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.
Meanwhile, Tk2,000 will be given to priests, attendants, monastery abbots, assistant abbots, pastors and assistant pastors during Durga Puja, Buddha Purnima and Christmas.
In fact, the government plans to implement the programme in four phases over the next four fiscal years.
