Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has stated that the nation will achieve “true freedom” only when the imams, who lead prayers, also assume leadership roles in society.

Speaking at the National Imam-Khatib Conference held at China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on Sunday (November 23), he said decisions for society should ideally come from the mosque’s pulpit.

“We do not want to see our imams and khatibs living at the mercy of others. Their rightful honour must be restored,” he said.

Dr Rahman said that imams occupy a unique position in a Muslim’s life. “When we are alive, you (imams) lead us in prayer. When we depart this world, you still lead us—this time standing before our lifeless bodies. You are our imams in life and in death. From the depths of our hearts, we want to honour you throughout our lives,” he said.

Citing the early Islamic model, he said the Prophet Muhammad (SM) established the mosque as the centre of administration and governance. “There was no separate cabinet house, no presidential office or prime minister’s office. All affairs of the state were conducted from Masjid-e-Nabawi,” he said, adding that representatives of different faiths and nations met the Prophet there.

Dr Rahman claimed that any society built around a mosque-centric system—as in the Prophet’s era—became prosperous and morally strong. “This was the best society on earth. No such society existed before, and none will emerge in the future.”

With Bangladesh being a majority-Muslim country, Dr Rahman said the nation must ultimately embrace Qur’an-based governance. “Ninety percent of our population are Muslims who believe in Allah, accept the Qur’an, and acknowledge the Prophet (SM) as the final messenger. The laws of this land must align with Qur’anic principles. Without that, a truly humane society cannot be established,” he added.

Responding to concerns about the rights of religious minorities, he said Islamic law ensures “full rights and dignity for every creation of Allah,” including non-Muslims. “Just as people of all faiths enjoyed complete religious and civic freedom in Madinah, the same rights will be ensured here if that social system is established,” he said.

Among the seven demands raised by participants was the call for mosque committees to accommodate imams and khatibs respectfully. Dr Rahman opposed this formulation, saying committees should instead be led by the guidance of imams. “The imam or khatib should be the heart of the mosque committee. The committee should assist them, not exclude them,” he said.

He stressed that though imams are human and may make mistakes, any dispute must be resolved with dignity—“not by removing an imam between the noon and afternoon prayers simply because someone disliked him.”

Addressing the imams and khatibs, the Jamaat chief said, “Your demands are small. But you cannot remain confined to small issues. You must shoulder the responsibility of society. The day the imam of prayer becomes the imam of society, that day we will attain true freedom.”

The conference, chaired by Baitul Mukarram National Mosque’s senior imam Maulana Muhibbullahil Baqi an-Nadwi, presented a roadmap addressing national issues including protection of independence and sovereignty, safeguarding religious rights, social security and dignified allowances for imams and khatibs, and modern guidelines for mosque administration.