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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday honoured four Bangladeshi Hafizs who won prizes at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Holy Quran Competition in Saudi Arabia last month.
The reception was held at the Cabinet Division meeting room at Bangladesh Secretariat, said Hasan Shiplue, deputy press secretary to the prime minister.
Congratulating the winners and presenting them with books, the prime minister said the government would recognise the achievements of Bangladeshi citizens who excel through their talent and merit.
“The awards you have won are not just your achievements. I believe they are an achievement for all Muslims of Bangladesh,” he said.
Tarique said encouraging and honouring Hafizs was part of the government’s policy of recognising the achievements of talented Bangladeshis.
He said the government had been working to encourage meritorious and qualified people since taking office, and inviting the winning Hafizs to the reception was part of that initiative.
Earlier, the prime minister listened to the winners recite verses from the surahs with which they competed in Saudi Arabia.
Among contestants from 133 countries, Hafiz Mohammad Zakaria secured first place in the 15-para Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category.
Hafiz Sheikh Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Ashrafi won third place in the 30-para Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category.
Hafiza Rabeta Binte Ramadan also secured third place in the 15-para category, while Hafiza Musfira Binte Mahmud won third place in the 30-para Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category.
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, State Minister Shamim Kaisar, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar and Maulana Rafiqul Islam attended the event.
The winners’ teachers—Kaiyum Molla, Moinuddin Majumdar, Abu Bakar and Sajeda Khatun—were also present.