Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for a revolutionary shift in Zakat distribution, asserting that a well-planned and systematic approach could effectively alleviate poverty in Bangladesh within the next 10 to 15 years.

Speaking at an Iftar mahfil hosted in honor of orphan children and Islamic scholars at the state guest house Jamuna on Saturday evening, the Prime Minister emphasized that Islamic teachings encourage distribution in a way that empowers recipients to become self-sufficient, ideally ensuring they no longer need financial assistance in subsequent years.

The Prime Minister highlighted that with approximately 4 crore families in the country, the government aims to make Zakat management more goal-oriented.

He proposed a model where 500,000 underprivileged families are provided with 100,000 BDT each year on a rotational basis.

Citing research that estimates the annual Zakat potential in Bangladesh to be between 20,000 and 25,000 crore BDT, he noted that such a structured injection of capital could fundamentally transform the economic status of the poor.

To achieve this, he suggested restructuring the existing Zakat Board under the Ministry of Religious Affairs to include leading Ulama, scholars, and government stakeholders, potentially positioning Bangladesh as a global model for Islamic poverty alleviation.

Addressing the broader context of Ramadan, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the hike in essential commodity prices, urging businesses not to turn a month of sacrifice into one of greed.

He also touched upon the government's commitment to austerity, noting that Iftar gatherings were significantly scaled back this year to conserve gas, electricity, and fuel amid global economic conditions.

The event was attended by senior cabinet members, including Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, alongside prominent religious figures such as Shaykh Ahmadullah of the As-Sunnah Foundation and Mufti Abdul Malek, the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.