Hasina attends Qawmi thanksgiving rally

The Qawmi madrasa 'Shukrana Mahfil', or thanksgiving rally, organised to commemorate the government’s recognition of the education system’s highest certification as equivalent to a postgraduate degree, has begun at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan.

The rally by the Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, the organisation representing the six Qawmi education boards in the country, began at 9am on Sunday with a reading from the Quran.

The organisation’s chairman, Hefazat Islam Amir Shah Ahmad Shafi, is leading the programme. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is chief guest.

The event has been organised to thank the prime minister for recognising the Qawmi education certificate.

The law approving the recognition was passed by parliament on Sept 19.

Students and teachers from Qawmi madrasas began gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan early on Sunday morning. Students were bussed in from various parts of the country for the event. Vast numbers of students in panjabis and prayer caps were seen on the streets of Dhaka.

Additional security has been deployed in the area for the event. Archways have been set up at all entrances to the Suhrawardy Udyan. Metal detectors are being used to search marticipants.

Traffic is being regulated in Shahbag, the Matsya Bhaban area and Doyel Chattar with the use of barricades, causing traffic congestion in nearby areas.

The education ministry postponed Sunday’s Junior School Certificate and Junior Dakhil Certificate examinations for 2.7 million examinees to Friday because of the event.

According to Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, there are currently 13,209 Qawmi madrasas in the country teaching nearly 1.37 million students.