State Minister for Shipping calls on Islamic scholars to join social movement against drugs

State Minister for Shipping Razib Ahsan has called on Islamic scholars, imams and muezzins in Mehendiganj to come forward to build a social movement against drugs.

He said, “Through mosque sermons and religious discussions, the youth must be informed from a religious perspective about the punishment for drug use.”

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting organized by the Mehendiganj upazila and municipal branches of the Jatiyatabadi Ulama Dal at the Mehendiganj Multipurpose Auditorium in Barishal on Saturday afternoon (03 October).

The state minister said, “The harmful effects of drugs go beyond individuals and affect families and society. This creates a major challenge to the future of the younger generation and social progress. Imams and muezzins have an important role in shaping people’s moral and social values.”

He said, “Imams and muezzins can play an effective role in keeping young people away from drugs by highlighting their harmful effects in sermons and religious discussions. He also called for raising awareness against drugs while addressing social problems. He urged strengthening moral values and involving young people in positive activities.”

The organizers said around 800 imams, muezzins and Islamic scholars from different unions of the upazila were invited to the meeting to build social resistance against the spread of drugs. One of the main objectives of the meeting was to increase awareness against drugs by involving religious leaders alongside the administration.

Leaders of the Mehendiganj upazila and municipal BNP, leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Ulama Dal, representatives of the Imams and Muezzins Association and imams and muezzins from different areas of the upazila attended the meeting.