The government has decided to introduce monthly honorariums and festival allowances for imams, muezzins, khatibs and other religious leaders of different faiths ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, officials said on Saturday.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Tejgaon on 21 February where the decision was taken to begin the programme before the major festival.

Talking to reporters at the PMO gate, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said the move is part of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s election pledge to ensure financial support for religious figures across the country. He said the scheme will be rolled out gradually and initially in selected areas before Eid.

Mahdi added that while the initiative will start soon, the exact amount of honorariums and festival allowances has not yet been finalised. A committee comprising relevant ministries has been formed to determine the figures, he said.

State Minister for Local Government Shahe Alam was present at the briefing, which underscored the administration’s focus on fulfilling key electoral commitments shortly after taking office.