World Vision Bangladesh's Child Safety Net Project organized a seminar on Wednesday at Cox's Bazar Sadar Upazila Parishad to unite religious and social leaders against child marriage. Over a hundred imams, muezzins, Hindu and Buddhist leaders and journalists from three unions attended also pledging to eliminate the practice from the district.
Maulana Kamal Uddin, Imam of Cox's Bazar Barabazar Jame Mosque, presided over the event. He said child marriage is not only illegal but destroys a child's potential before it can bloom. They adding that Islam does not support marrying off minors and urged religious leaders to condemn the practice regularly in sermons and gatherings.
Chief guest Subhad Biswas, Deputy Director of the Department of Women and Children Affairs, said laws alone cannot end child marriage genuine family awareness and social conscience are essential. He stressed that children should be seen as a society's future not a burden and given education and independence.
Islamic Foundation Deputy Director Sarwar Akbar called on mosques and temples to become centers of awareness, while senior journalist Javed Abedin Shahin urged the media to use its voice to protect children's futures. Officer Partha Pratim Bagchi described child marriage as a disaster that harms not just girls, but families and the nation.
The seminar concluded with a unanimous pledge from all attendees to work together administration, religious leaders, teachers and journalists to eradicate child marriage from Cox's Bazar and ensure children are guided by education rather than early marriage.
