In a move aimed at strengthening the management of zakat and expanding its role in poverty alleviation, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has initiated a plan to restructure the country’s Zakat Board.
The initiative was discussed at a meeting chaired by the prime minister at the Cabinet Division on Monday, where senior government officials, Islamic scholars and experts gathered to explore ways to modernise zakat management.
Among those present were Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad and Islamic Scholar Shaikh Ahmadullah.
Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Zahidul Islam Rony said the meeting decided to move forward with restructuring the Zakat Board to make its operations more effective and transparent.
According to him, a special committee will be formed to review the current system and recommend reforms.
The committee will be led by the Religious Affairs Minister and will include prominent Islamic scholars and experts, including Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Abdul Malek and Shaikh Ahmadullah, along with leading Islamic economists and scholars.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has been asked to propose the full list of committee members within the next 10 days.
Once formed, the committee will prepare recommendations on reforming the zakat management system and restructuring the Zakat Board, which will then be submitted to the prime minister.
The move follows remarks made by the prime minister during an iftar programme for scholars and orphans on March 7, where he emphasised the potential of zakat as a powerful tool to reduce poverty in Bangladesh.
At the event, Tarique Rahman said that if zakat funds were managed properly, they could significantly contribute to poverty reduction in the country over the next decade.
Officials said Monday’s meeting was held in the context of that statement and focused on exploring how a structured and transparent zakat system could support social welfare initiatives.
Participants at the meeting also discussed ways to channel zakat funds more effectively so that they reach the poor and vulnerable sections of society.