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Clashes Inside Baitul Mukarram

Perks, clout in khatib post led to ugly race

M Abul Kalam Azad
The government perks and other benefits for the khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, who enjoys the status of a joint secretary, seem to be the main reason behind the troubles brewed often centring the post.
Apart from getting a government car for use and home allowance, a khatib receives a handsome monthly salary and enjoys the chairmanship of Islami Bank's Shariah Council.
He also holds theposts of adviser or member of other Islami banks and insurance compa nies.
But the most attractive side of becoming a khatib is the gifts (hadia) given by people at home and abroad.
"The main source of income of a khatib is
the gifts and in most cases he receives those in cash," said an Islamic Foundation official wishing anonymity.
He said the top position of the country's number one mosqufe itself is very attractive because of the respect it receives from the people.
"It has become more attractive because of the extra benefits, especially the gifts," he said, adding that the government perks and the 'extra benefits' are the main reasons behind the recent crisis centring the post of khatib.
The official said a Bangladeshi expatriate in the United States gave Tk 5 lakh as gift to a former khatib. The person, whose family was in trouble, came to Bangladesh just to seek blessings from the then khatib.
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Former Pesh Imam Rafique Ahmad said the facilities and benefits the khatib enjoys are the main reasons for the troubles centring the post. If those are reduced and more than one post of khatib is created, the problems could be solved, he said.
He also said he recently met the director general of the Islamic Foundation and gave ‘h'lm'a suggestion for having more than one post of khatib.
Many people who attend the Friday prayers at the Baitul Mukarram Mosque bring gifts for the khatib while some deposit money as 'gifts' in the khatib's bank accounts.
Islamic Foundation officials and intelligence agencies sources said many indulge in the rat race to secure the post that result in untoward incidents like that of the last Friday's.
Men from certain Islamist parties had occupied the post for years. But the post of khatib was secured recently by a person who does not belong to any ofthose groups.
The group that held sway over both the national mosque and the khatib could not accept Principal Mohammad Salauddin as the new khatib.
The unpleasant incident occurred at the national mosque before the Friday prayers was an attempt by the group to regain control over the national mosque, sources said.
The followers of the group, who had been using the mosque for political purposes for years, created a hue and cry and hurled shoes at the new khatib before Friday prayers, plunging the mosque into chaos. They did not even bother about the sanctity of the mosque.
"The troublemakers used
the mosque as centre of their political activities," said an intelligence agency official preferring anonymity.
After the incident, some of the troublemakers told reporters outside the mosque that they went there to stage protest against the new khatib following instructions from Island Okiya Jote (IOJ) Chief Fazlul Haque Amini. But the ii H < hiefdenied iheclaim.
Xniini. however, termed the new khatib a controversial figure.
Islamic Foundation recently held a meeting where it suggested reducing perks for thekhatib.
It also suggested that the government create a panel of khatibs, who in turn will conduct the Friday prayers.