TBT Desk: Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin has emphasised the crucial role of zakat in establishing social justice, highlighting its beauty and impact on society worldwide.
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled "The Role of Islamic Social Finance in Economic Empowerment and Human Development" at the Aloki Convention Centre on Saturday, he underscored the importance of ensuring visible impacts of zakat in society.
"Among the various wealth distribution mechanisms, zakat stands out as one of the most effective. It is essential to encourage people to give zakat and make its influence evident in our communities," he said.
Describing zakat as a powerful tool for poverty alleviation, Bashiruddin warned that without ethical leadership, wealth would not be equitably distributed. "We aspire to build a just society with moral leadership. If taxation systems fail to function properly in a free-market economy, social justice cannot be achieved. Unfortunately, today, success is measured by one's ability to consume, rather than by self-respect, dignity, and social responsibility," he remarked.
Reflecting on past struggles for equality, he said, "Many lives were lost in the July uprising to eliminate social disparity, yet inequality persists. To uproot this problem, we must ensure fair wealth distribution through a combined effort of ethical and religious responsibilities."
The seminar's keynote address was delivered by Dr M Emranul Haque, Associate Prof of Microeconomics at the University of Manchester, UK.
Presided over by economist and former caretaker government advisor Hossain Zillur Rahman, the event also featured a speech by Datuk Dr Mohammad Ghazali Noor, secretary-general of the World Zakat and Waqf Organisation, as the guest of honour.
A panel discussion followed, featuring former chairman of the National Board of Revenue Dr Mohammad Abdul Mazid, Prof Dr Mohammad Omar Faruq, head of the Economics Department at United International University, Prof Mokhtar Hossain, chairman of Tarbiyah Education Network, Dr Mohammad Ayub Mia, CEO of the Centre for Zakat Management (CZM), and Munawar Misbah Moin, Convenor of the CZM Executive Committee and Director of Rahimafrooz Group.
Earlier in the day, Sheikh Bashiruddin inaugurated the 13th Zakat Fair 2025, a two-day event organised by the Centre for Zakat Management (CZM). The fair features stalls from various financial and zakat institutions, consultation desks for calculating zakat obligations, answers to zakat-related queries, and an Islamic bookstall.
The fair will remain open to the public until Sunday at 7 pm.