Govt to launch honorarium, festival allowance for imams, other religious leaders before Eid

The government has decided to introduce a monthly honorarium and festival allowance for imams, muezzins, khatibs and other religious leaders of different faiths and religions before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, held at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon today (21 February).

Prime Minister's adviser Mahdi Amin confirmed the matter while speaking at a briefing at Gate No. 4 of the Prime Minister's Office this afternoon.

He said, "The initiative aligns with the BNP's electoral pledge to ensure financial support for religious leaders across the country. The payment of monthly honorariums and festival allowances would commence ahead of Eid."

However, he also noted that the specific amount of the honorarium and festival allowance has not yet been finalised.

"A meeting was held with ministry officials and secretaries. The matter will be finalised in due course," he added.

Mahdi also said the government discussed wider election promises, including creating employment opportunities on merit without discrimination across public and private sectors, entrepreneurship and overseas employment.

He said reforms in education, especially technical and vocational training, and policy changes for business and industry were also discussed to help create skilled manpower and faster job opportunities.

Earlier, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibly said Saturday marked the Prime Minister's third working day in office and that he issued several directives to implement election pledges.

State Minister for Local Government and Cooperatives Shahe Alam and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon were also present at the briefing.

PMO sources said a meeting on strengthening religious and social harmony was first held at the PMO in Tejgaon in the afternoon, with the Prime Minister in the chair.

Ministers, state ministers and relevant senior officials attended the meeting held at the Cabinet Conference Room of the PMO.

Later, another meeting on establishing a cheerful and career-oriented education system, creating employment opportunities, and expanding sports infrastructure and training facilities was also held at the PMO.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting.

Ministers, state ministers and senior officials concerned were present at the meeting.

The Prime Minister began work at the PMO on Saturday for the first time after assuming office.

Though it was a public holiday, he went to the office at 10:10am, where Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon received him.