Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has instructed lawmakers to follow their own religious customs when showing respect to the Speaker’s chair or the President while entering or leaving the National Parliament chamber.
He made the announcement during the parliamentary session on Thursday (June 18).
The issue was raised on June 16 when Jamaat-e-Islami MP Md. Mujibur Rahman spoke on a point of order and requested clarification regarding the practice of bowing the head as a sign of respect to the Speaker.
Mujibur Rahman argued that the practice is inconsistent with Islamic teachings and could be viewed as being close to shirk (associating partners with Allah). In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said the matter would be reviewed under the Rules of Procedure before a decision was made.
Delivering his ruling on Thursday, the Speaker said Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure requires members to show respect to the President while entering or leaving the chamber during a sitting and when taking or leaving their seats.
He noted that the term “bowing” was removed from the rule through an amendment adopted during the Eighth Parliament.
The Speaker said he reviewed records showing that the Standing Committee on the Rules of Procedure of the Eighth Parliament had proposed the amendment, which was later approved by Parliament.
Addressing lawmakers, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said that since the word “bowing” no longer appears in the Rules of Procedure, members may show respect to the Speaker’s chair or the President in accordance with their own religious beliefs and customs.
