Khalid urges restraint to avoid election-related tension

Religious Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain has urged all quarters to avoid creating tension that could obstruct the upcoming national election.

Speaking at the International Qur'an Recitation Conference held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque this afternoon (28 November), Khalid said the government would not take any steps that could cast doubt on the election or disrupt the power-transfer process.

"We will act responsibly and tread carefully," he added.

The adviser also said no one would be allowed to create disorder by misinterpreting religion, adding that only qualified scholars can provide acceptable interpretations of religious matters. "We will not accept any distortion of religious teachings," he said.

Highlighting Bangladesh's reputation in Qur'an scholarship, he said the country has long been a fertile ground for Qur'an reciters. He credited the Islamic Foundation's rigorous selection process for enabling Bangladesh to earn global recognition and expressed gratitude to the institution.

He also pledged to work on improving facilities for hafiz, qari, imams and muezzins.

Khalid said only learned and qualified scholars should interpret Islamic concepts such as Islam, Allah, the Qur'an, Hadith, the afterlife and Shariah. Individuals without proper knowledge may spread confusion, provoke unrest or even cause religious disrespect, he noted.

He emphasised that no one is above the law. "We will follow the law. No one will take the law into their own hands or attempt to deliver justice themselves. The state has laws, courts and a government to dispense justice," he said, urging everyone to remain respectful of the legal system.