Play store
The government has introduced a new policy aimed at ensuring the financial and social security of people working at religious institutions across the country, including mosques, temples, Buddhist monasteries and churches.
Under the policy, the government plans to provide monthly honorariums, festival allowances and skills-development training to workers at religious institutions.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs issued a gazette notification on Sunday (September 6) titled “Policy on Providing Honorariums and Welfare Assistance to Persons Working at Mosques and Other Religious Places of Worship, 2026.”
According to the notification, people working at mosques, temples, Buddhist monasteries, churches and other religious institutions have long played an important role in the country’s socioeconomic development, the promotion of religious and moral education, the development of social values and the preservation of religious harmony.
The new policy has been formulated to strengthen their financial and social security in recognition of their contributions.
Under the policy, arrangements will be made to provide honorariums to imams, muezzins and khadims of mosques, as well as religious workers serving at other places of worship. The government also plans to introduce festival allowances on the occasion of religious festivals.
The initiative aims to increase the regular income and financial security of people working at religious institutions while helping improve their standard of living.
The initiative is not limited to financial assistance. The policy also provides for skills-development training for the people concerned. Through such training, the government aims to enhance their skills and create opportunities for alternative sources of income.
The government expects the initiative to strengthen the financial capacity of religious workers while also improving their professional skills.
The gazette further stated that the policy was formulated as part of the government’s commitment made in its 2026 election manifesto.
The government aims to further strengthen religious harmony and social values by ensuring the welfare of people working at places of worship belonging to all religious communities in the country.
Imams, muezzins, priests and other religious workers have long contributed to religious education, moral development and social awareness in their communities.
Through the new policy, the government has taken steps to formally recognize their contributions and bring them under a framework of financial assistance.
Relevant officials believe that once implemented, the initiative will reduce financial uncertainty among people working at religious institutions across the country and strengthen their social security.