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Two-Day Zakat Fair 2024 Begins in Dhaka
The two-day Zakat Fair 2024 commenced at Dhaka’s Aloki Convention Centre, urging the affluent to contribute through zakat for poverty eradication.
Eminent economist and former advisor to the caretaker government, Professor Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, highlighted zakat as an ethics-based instrument for transforming financial inclusion into the financial empowerment of the poor during the inaugural seminar, “CZM’s Zakat-based Programs: A pioneering Innovation for Poverty Alleviation.”
Organized by the Centre for Zakat Management (CZM) under the theme ‘Making a Difference with Zakat,’ the event aimed to explore the potential of zakat in addressing global financial inclusion and empowering impoverished individuals.
Professor Hossain Zillur Rahman emphasized the need for cautious management of zakat to lower costs, enabling the funds to serve a larger population.
The inaugural function, chaired by Md Shahjahan Mia, Prof Emeritus of the University of Southern Queensland, included addresses from former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdur Rouf, former Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank Abdul Awal Sarker, Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadek Ahmed (Deputy Managing Director of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation), former government secretary Arastu Khan, and Islamic scholar Prof Mokhter Ahmed.
Several leading business houses, including Rahimafrooz, Khadim Ceramics, Kohinoor Chemicals, Rahim Steel, South Bridge, and Hajj Finance Company Limited, sponsored the Zakat Fair, facilitating discussions on business zakat calculation methods.
Justice Abdur Rouf emphasized that zakat in Islam aims to prevent wealth accumulation in the hands of a few and promote equitable distribution.
CZM CEO Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia revealed that the organization has assisted 15 lakh people in the last 15 years, with 12,000 individuals currently receiving regular food support.
Abdul Awal Sarker highlighted that proper zakat collection could generate an annual fund of Tk 80,000 crore, sufficient for poverty alleviation in the country.
The Zakat Fair, open from 9 am to 7 pm, features stalls from various financial and zakat institutions, including a zakat consultation desk and stalls with Islamic books.
The event will host six sessions, including a seminar on the ‘Importance of Zakat, Ushar, and Waqf in Human Welfare’ for Khatibs and Imams and a round table session on the ‘Role of Islamic Social Finance in Reducing Inequality.’ The latter, chaired by former caretaker government advisor Abdul Mueed Chowdhury, will have Prof. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Chairman of the Economic Research Group, as the chief guest. Eminent personalities like former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Muhammad Abdur Rauf and former Minister M Nuruddin Khan are expected to attend as special guests and speakers.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued forecasts of rain or thundershowers for Dhaka, Rangpur, and five other divisions, commencing from 9 am today and extending over the next 24 hours. This weather forecast encompasses Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions, where accompanying gusty or squally winds are anticipated during the rainfall. Additionally, Chattogram division is expected to experience some activity, albeit in fewer places, with the potential for hail in isolated areas.
The BMD bulletin highlights that various areas within these seven divisions may witness significant thunderstorm activity, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, with isolated occurrences of hail.
Temperature levels across the nation are projected to remain consistent, both during daytime and at night. Over the past 24-hour period, Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature in the country at 34.7 degrees Celsius, while Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, experienced the lowest temperature at 21.2 degrees Celsius.
Dhaka witnessed the most substantial rainfall, measuring up to 87mm. Residents in the affected divisions are advised to prepare for adverse weather conditions and stay informed about further forecasts from the BMD.
The Jashore Education Board has achieved the highest pass rate of 92.32% among the nine boards in the 2024 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination, according to official data.
Conversely, Sylhet remained at the bottom with a pass rate of 73.35%, continuing its trend from last year when it also recorded the lowest pass rate of 76.06%.
Data from the education board website reveals that the Dhaka board secured a pass rate of 83.92%, while Rajshahi board achieved 89.25%, Cumilla board 79.20%, Barishal board 89.13%, Chattogram board 82.80%, Dinajpur board 78.40%, and Mymensingh board 84.97%.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the results of this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations. Students have been able to access their results through the official website.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the 2024 Hajj program (1445 hijri) in Ashkona, the capital, today, May 8th.
Subsequently, she exchanged pleasantries with the Hajj pilgrims at the Ashkona Hajj camp.
The maiden Hajj flight is set to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Saudi Arabia on Thursday (May 9).
Dedicated Hajj flights will also operate from Chattogram and Sylhet airports, landing at Jeddah and Medina airports.
This year, 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to undertake the holy journey. Among them, 4,562 will be under government management, while 80,695 will be managed privately.
The Hajj is tentatively scheduled for June 15th, contingent upon the moon sighting.
In attendance were Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, and president of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Shahadat Hossain Taslim.
Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, while Religious Affairs Secretary Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the welcome address.
