PM Directs Authorities to Strengthen Zakat Management

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today instructed relevant authorities to develop a more effective and organized Zakat management system across Bangladesh.

The directive came during a high-level meeting on Zakat management held at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat. Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Md Zahidul Islam Rony confirmed the details.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), Secretary of the ministry Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, and As-Sunnah Foundation Chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah attended the meeting.

Rony said the discussion followed the Prime Minister’s earlier remarks at an Iftar programme on 7 March, where he stated that a proper Zakat management system could play a major role in eliminating poverty within the next 10 to 15 years.

“Today’s meeting was held in line with that vision,” he added.

The meeting focused on how an efficient Zakat system could contribute to poverty reduction. It was also decided to reconstitute the Zakat Board.

The meeting recommended forming a committee headed by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), with members including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Khatib Allama Mufti Abdul Malek, As-Sunnah Foundation Chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah, and several leading Islamic economists and prominent scholars.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs will propose the full list of committee members within the next ten days.

The committee is expected to submit its recommendations to the Prime Minister soon regarding improvements in Zakat management and the reconstitution of the Zakat Board.