A controversy has erupted in Keshabpur upazila of Jashore over the inclusion of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders’ names in a government list of mosque imam, muezzin and khadem, allegedly leaving out the names of the actual office-bearers.

After locals complained to Jashore-6 (Keshabpur) lawmaker Professor Moktar Ali, the mosque concerned was removed from the list and another mosque was included instead.

According to a written complaint submitted by local worshippers, imam Maulana Abdur Rahman and khadem Abdur Razzak have been serving at Garbhanga Baitun Nur Jame Mosque in Panjia union for a long time.

Recently, the government announced plans to bring mosque imams, muezzins and khadems under a monthly honorarium scheme. As part of the first phase, lists of 15 mosques from each union in Keshabpur have been collected.

Of the 15 mosques, eight names have reportedly been submitted by BNP supporters and seven by Jamaat leaders backing the local lawmaker.

In the list submitted from Panjia union, the names of the actual imam and khadem of Garbhanga Baitun Nur Jame Mosque were allegedly omitted. Instead, mosque committee cashier and local ward Jamaat leader Tabibur Rahman was listed as the “imam”, while ward Jamaat President Abdul Motaleb Molla was listed as the “khadem.”

The issue came to light after local residents complained to Member of Parliament Professor Moktar Ali. However, instead of correcting the alleged irregularity, the mosque was removed from the list altogether. Later, the MP instructed officials to include the name of Purapara Jame Mosque in its place.

The mosque committee president said, “I was not consulted while preparing the list. Local Jamaat leaders prepared it on their own, excluding the names of the actual imam and khadem and including the names of their own leaders.”

Moktar Ali, also the upazila Jamaat ameer, said that the religious affairs ministry had decided to provide a monthly honorarium of Tk5,000 to imams, Tk3,000 to muezzins and Tk2,000 to khadems.

“Following the government’s directive, lists were sought from every upazila. Local Jamaat leaders submitted a list containing the name of Garbhanga Purapara Jame Mosque. As allegations were raised that the names of the actual imam and khadem had been left out, the mosque was removed from the previous list and another mosque was included,” he said.

Kazi Md Meshkatul Islam, acting upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), said lists of imams, muezzins and khadems have been collected, but have not been finalised.

“The lists are still being scrutinised. If the names of genuine imams, muezzins or khadems have been left out, we will investigate the matter and include their names in the final list,” he said.