Staff Correspondent:

Adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain has called on government officials and employees to carry out their duties with honesty and integrity. He emphasized, “The new form of extortion is speed money, but no one can earn their way to paradise through haram money.”

Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion at Bangladesh Bank on the occasion of Ramadan, Khalid Hossain stressed the need for public servants to be steadfast in upholding justice and ethics. “Theft, even with the stroke of a pen, must be stopped,” he urged. “You hold important roles in the state. Perform your duties with unwavering commitment to honesty.”

The meeting, attended by Bangladesh Bank’s Deputy Governor, Executive Director, and senior officers, concluded with a special prayer for the peace and prosperity of the nation.

Mr. Khalid reminded those present that sustenance belongs solely to Allah, and that legitimate earnings are the only ones that bring true value. “Having illegal wealth is futile. If you hold illicit wealth, hand it over in the government fund—there are no excuses,” he said.

He also pointed to a prevailing mentality issue in the country, urging a shift from selfishness to integrity. “It’s better to eat simple food earned through hard work than to enjoy lavish meals through theft,” he remarked. “Being good costs nothing.”

Hossain further noted a concerning trend in government offices where files are withheld unnecessarily. He called for prompt and efficient handling of paperwork, stressing that timely action benefits the people and drives the country’s economy forward.