Turkish foundation to train Rohingya imams in Bangladesh
Turkiye’s Diyanet Foundation to train imams in Rohingya refugee camps, expanding faith-based and humanitarian cooperation with Bangladesh
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Turkiye’s Diyanet Foundation is set to launch a training program for imams working in the Rohingya refugee camps, in partnership with Bangladesh’s Islamic Foundation. The move marks a new phase in faith-based cooperation between the two Muslim-majority nations.
The plan was finalized during a meeting in Dhaka between Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain and a visiting Diyanet delegation, led by Deputy General Manager Recep Şükrü Balkan. Both sides agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding to formalize the collaboration in the coming weeks.
Dr. Hossain described the initiative as an extension of Turkiye and Bangladesh’s “longstanding bond of friendship,” noting that Dhaka views Ankara as a vital partner in both religious and humanitarian fields.
He also urged the Turkish foundation to broaden its support beyond religious education to include development initiatives across Bangladesh.
Balkan said Diyanet Foundation, which operates in more than 150 countries, views Bangladesh as a key partner in its global humanitarian network. “We are committed to helping the Rohingya community rebuild their lives through education, livelihood support, and improved living conditions,” he said during the meeting.
The training program will focus on religious instruction, community leadership, and peacebuilding skills for imams serving in the camps that host nearly one million Rohingya refugees.
Alongside education, Diyanet plans to support income-generating activities, health care, sanitation, and environmental programs to improve daily life in the settlements.
Officials from both sides agreed that the cooperation represents a holistic approach—combining spiritual guidance with social welfare for displaced Rohingya families.
Dr. Hossain welcomed Diyanet’s broader proposal to expand operations to other regions of Bangladesh and pledged government assistance to ensure regulatory compliance.
The meeting was attended by senior representatives from the Islamic Foundation, Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka. Once the MoU is finalized, the training program is expected to begin within the year, reinforcing Turkiye’s role as one of Bangladesh’s closest partners in humanitarian outreach and Islamic education.
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