Staff Reporter :Islamic Foundation Bangladesh on Thursday sent copies of Khutba (sermon) with a view to maintaining an uniformity in line with Islamic ideology to the 2.50 lakh mosques including Baitul Mokarram in the country in the wake of attacks by radicalised youths. According to Islamic Foundation, Jumma prayers are being offered at about 2.50 lakh mosques across the country. ‘Khutba’ (sermon) is being conducted before and after Jumma prayers on Friday.The imams of mosques have been requested to deliver lectures in line with the Islamic ideology that denounces terrorism and extremism.Assistant Director of Public Relations (IFB) Muhammad Nizamuddin said that the directives have been sent to all mosques in the country. Earlier on Sunday, the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order at a meeting decided to monitor Khutbas and speeches during Jumma prayers throughout the country from today (Friday), officials said. The decision was taken to check the activities that could inspire militancy. For monitoring waj and Khutbas at the mosques on Fridays, the authorities would involve general people, social and political workers and the staff of Islamic Foundation.Besides, the law-enforcement agencies would also remain on duty to ensure security and check any untoward incidents during the Jumma prayers while members of the detective branch would be a part of the coordinated efforts of monitoring. Islamic Foundation Bangladesh Director General Shameem Mohammad Afzal said that the Foundation with its 70 thousand staff and cooperation from general people and the law-enforcement agencies would be able to monitor the speeches and Khutbas. The government has already opened a monitoring cell to receive complaints and take necessary actions to check the activities that are considered provocative.
