Our large population is not a burden; rather, it is a human resource. If we can turn our growing population into a productive workforce, it is possible to transform the country into a hunger- and poverty-free, self-reliant state—said Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman.
He made these remarks today, 2 December, at 1 PM while addressing the pharmaceutical businessmen of Dhaka-15 constituency at a discussion meeting organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Mehfil Convention Hall in Shewrapara, Dhaka, where he was present as the chief guest.
The program was presided over by central BCDS leader A.A.M. Abdullah Al Mamun and conducted by Mahbubur Rahman Masum, Senior Vice President of BCDS. Assistant Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North Jamaat Dr. Fakhruddin Manik spoke on the occasion as a special guest.
Among others, Ziaul Hasan, Assistant Director of the Professionals Zone; Md. Shahidullah, Assistant Director of Kafrul Zone; Shah Alam Tuhin, Member Secretary of the constituency; Abu Nahid, Secretary of Kafrul South Thana; Sohel Rana, Ameer of the Medical Technologist Thana; Abedur Rahman, Ameer of the Literature–Culture Thana; Atik Hasan Raihan, Acting Ameer of Kafrul West Thana; Professor Kamal Uddin, President of Ideal Teachers’ Council; Abdullah Al Mahmud, Vice President of the Business Division; Engineer Muhammad Ismail; Dr. Hasanul Banna; Jashim Uddin; Hafiz Ashiqur Rahman; Abu Nahid; and Mufti Masudur Rahman attended the event as guests.
The Jamaat Ameer said, Bangladesh is our beloved motherland. Though small in size, it has a large population. Some people see this growing population as a national burden, but human beings are never a burden on any country; they are a resource. Therefore, the people must be developed into a skilled workforce.
He said, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon Him) preferred strong people over the weak. Strength has two aspects—physical strength and spiritual strength. Good health is a great blessing from Allah. Islam teaches us to value our health before falling ill. If a country wishes to move forward, there is no alternative to a healthy workforce; only then will we be able to face the challenges of the coming days.
He further said, there are various allegations against a section of physicians in the country. They often work to serve the interests of pharmaceutical companies by accepting unethical benefits. As a result, ethics are compromised and material gain becomes the priority. Out of greed, they disregard what is lawful and unlawful—an attitude that reflects irresponsibility toward human life.
Speaking about the pharmaceutical industry, he said, once Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector was dependent on foreign companies. That situation has now changed—Bangladesh currently exports medicines to 38 countries. He urged the relevant authorities to take effective measures to elevate the domestic pharmaceutical industry to global standards.
The Jamaat Ameer added, just as not all doctors are good, similarly not all are bad. A section of pharmaceutical companies spends unnecessarily on physicians, while some physicians deceive the public for personal financial gain by prescribing medicines that serve company interests. These actions are unethical and unjust.
He said, even if people do not praise good deeds in this world, immense rewards await with Allah. He called upon everyone to obey Allah in every aspect of life and urged all involved in the medical sector to walk the path of morality.
