Imams launch crusade against dowry

A partial view of the meeting (left), and Md Abu Taher Hossain, Deputy Director of Brahmanbaria Islamic Foundation addressing the gathering of Imams of Mosques. PHOTO: STAR

At the solemn function attended by officials, 50 Imams from across the district vowed that they would neither accept nor give dowry and that they would launch a campaign against this vice through all the 3137 mosques in the district.

"We decided that we will neither give dowry not accept it", Mawlana Abdus Samad Khan who came from Akhaura told this correspondent later.

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They took part in a discussion on 'Social Revolution Against Dowry', organised by Brahmanbaria Islamic Foundation and held at its office in the town on Sunday.

The meeting decided that anti-dowry sermons will be delivered at the 3137 mosques by their Imams prior to prayers on next Friday.

"A movement will be built within a week", Mawlana Abdus Samad Khan said.

The Imams agreed on a five-point programme which include holding of special anti-dowry meetings in their respective areas and campaign at religious functions like Milad Mahfil and Waz Mahfil (large gathering where clerics deliver lecture on Islam).

They also vowed that they will resist dowry in matchmaking and launch a campaign that daughters and sons are equal and should get equal treatment in families for their education.

The meeting was presided over by Md Abu Taher Hossain, Deputy Director of Brahmanbaria Islamic Foundation.

Its Assistant Director Abdul Malek and local Hamdard Loabrotory Manager Md Abdul Wahab presented two papers at the meeting.

It was addressed by, among other, Mawlana Abdus Samad Khan, Mawlana Mansur Ali, Mowlana Kazi Hussain Ahmed, Mawla Mizanur Rahman, Mawlana Md Ibrahim, Mowlana Md Shahajahan and Mawla Md Ali Akhas.

The speakers said the dowry system as prevalent in the society now is opposed to Islam. Those who follow the religion should resist the vice. This is destroying families and claiming lives, they said.

The Deputy Director of Islamic Foundation said dishonest matchmakers are largely responsible to prevalence of dowry. They are arranging marriages promising dowry, which ultimately bring sorrow for couples.