Barguna, Aug. 15 (V7N) — Around 20 children and young worshippers in Patharghata, Barguna, have been honoured with prizes for regularly attending congregational prayers at a local mosque as part of an initiative aimed at encouraging children to develop the habit of offering prayers at the mosque.

The prizes were distributed before Friday prayers on Aug. 14 at Imam Hasan and Hossainia Jame Mosque, located near Charkhola Primary School adjacent to Rayhanpur Union on the border of Patharghata and Bamna upazilas.

The recipients had attended all five daily congregational prayers at the mosque continuously for two weeks. Members of the mosque management committee, local community leaders and worshippers were present at the programme.

Hafez Maulana Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, the mosque’s khatib, said the initiative was launched to encourage children to develop the habit of praying from an early age, become more connected with the mosque and grow up with religious values.

He said the programme was supported by Mohammad Belal Hossain, a local worshipper and freelancer.

According to organisers, the initiative has already contributed to a noticeable increase in the number of children and other worshippers attending the mosque. The mosque has reportedly become more lively during the five daily prayers.

Local residents welcomed the initiative, describing it as a positive example of encouraging children to participate in religious activities through recognition and rewards.

The organisers said the programme was initially planned for one week, but was extended to two weeks following a strong response from the community. The initiative is currently continuing as a month-long programme, with plans to extend it to 41 days in the future.

Local residents believe initiatives of this kind can encourage not only children but also other members of the community to become more regular in attending congregational prayers.

They expressed hope that similar motivational programmes at mosques across the country could encourage younger generations to learn about the Quran and Sunnah and participate more regularly in congregational prayers, while strengthening the role of mosques in community life.

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