Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad has alleged that “enemies of Islam” are hatching numerous conspiracies against Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to prevent him from performing “good deeds.”
The minister made these remarks on Wednesday while speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the “Hifzul Quran and Quran Recitation Competition – 2026” (Season 2), organised by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at Dhaka University.
Recalling the legacy of Ziaur Rahman, Kaikobad described him as the “upholder of Islam” in Bangladesh, noting that it was Ziaur Rahman who incorporated “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim” into the constitution and established strong ties with the Middle East.
He added that former prime minister Khaleda Zia had continued to maintain those relations.
The minister further highlighted Khaleda Zia’s respect for Islamic scholars (Alems). He noted that in 2009, she sent gifts, including prayer mats, dates, and perfume (attar), to prominent scholars across Bangladesh during the month of Ramadan.
Referring to the alleged plots against Tarique Rahman, the minister urged the audience to offer two rak’ats of Nafl prayer to seek Allah’s protection for him. “The enemies of Islam are conspiring heavily against him so that he cannot do any good work,” he said.
Mufti Abdul Malek, the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, attended the event as the main speaker. He expressed his satisfaction with the competition’s emphasis on correct pronunciation and Tajwid.
However, he also stressed the importance of observing the proper etiquette (Adab) of Quranic gatherings, urging organisers to familiarise themselves with the necessary rules and regulations beforehand.
Presiding over the event, Chhatra Dal Central President Rakibul Islam Rakib noted that the organisation had been “expelled” from the campus for the past 15.5 years.
He stated that since regaining the opportunity, the JCD has been working to implement student-friendly social, cultural, and policy-making programmes, including Quran recitation competitions, across all educational institutions in Bangladesh.
Other speakers at the programme included Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, Senior Vice-President Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahya, and Joint General Secretary Shyamal Malum, among other leaders.
