A fund amounting to Tk1 crore will be raised for the family of murdered lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, announced Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain.
The initiative, spearheaded by the humanitarian organisation Alhaj Shamsul Haque Foundation, will seek to provide financial relief to the bereaved family.
The announcement came on Friday (29 November) morning following a visit to Saiful’s grave at Pantrisha village in Lohagara, Chattogram.
Speaking to journalists after offering prayers, Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain condemned the brutal murder and affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring justice.
“Saiful, a promising young lawyer, could have greatly contributed to the establishment of rule of law, human rights, and justice in our nation. Yet, he was heinously murdered,” he remarked.
“The perpetrators will face the strictest punishment under the law, and the government is resolute in this regard,” he added, strongly condemning the act as barbaric.
Dr AFM Khalid Hossain also touched upon the broader challenges to Bangladesh’s social fabric, stressing the importance of communal harmony.
“Bangladesh is a nation rooted in interfaith unity, but certain domestic and foreign reactionary forces are conspiring to disrupt this harmony. Such divisive attempts must be thwarted at all costs,” he stated, urging citizens to act with tolerance and responsibility to safeguard this coexistence.
When questioned about calls for banning ISKCON, the adviser refrained from commenting, citing the sub judice nature of the matter.
In response to questions about the government’s actions to apprehend Saiful’s murderers, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar assured reporters that several suspects had already been detained.
“The government is taking a tough stance on this issue. A thorough investigation will ensure fair justice, and the culprits will face appropriate punishment,” he stated, urging citizens to maintain peace and avoid actions that could tarnish the nation’s image domestically or internationally.
He also addressed concerns about domestic and foreign conspiracies, reiterating, “While such plots may exist, our unity will ensure they are ineffective.”
Following their visit to the grave, both advisors met Saiful’s family to express their condolences.
As part of the immediate financial aid, Dr Khalid handed over Tk1 lakh in cash on behalf of Alhaj Shamsul Haque Foundation, in addition to a Tk5 lakh cheque from the As-Sunnah Foundation and another Tk1 lakh from the Al Manahil Foundation.
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain further promised that the foundation would support the family’s living expenses, medical care, and the education of Saiful’s children.
The visit was attended by Lohagara Upazila Executive Officer Mohammad Inamul Hasan, as well as officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.
