Dhaka: Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday said Islamic banking now controls around 32% shares of the country’s overall economic activities as such kind of banking works to ensure just in the society.

‘As a result, Islamic banking is not only popular in Bangladesh, but also getting popularity in the world, including countries like the Netherlands and Luxemburg,’ he said.

The planning minister was addressing a programme marking the handover of the ‘Central Shariah Board Islami Banking Award’ among the winners at a function held at a city hotel. Central Shariah Board for Islami Banks of Bangladesh (CSBIB) organised the function.

State Minster for Finance and Planning MA Mannan and former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Mohammad Abdur Rouf spoke at the function chaired by Central Shariah Board Executive Committee chairman M Azizul Hoque.

Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd Chairman Engineer Mustafa Anwar, CSBIB chairman Principal Sayeed Kamal Uddin Zafree, vice chairman AKM Nurul Fazal Bulbul, and Secretary General AQM Chafiullah Arif were present.

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, AHM Mustafa Kamal, commonly known as Lotus Kamal, said although there are some 900 Islami bank branches in the country, many of them do not have much clear concept about such kind of banking.

In this regard, he suggested the Islamic banking entrepreneurs create more awareness among people.

At the function, awards were given to four personalities and two banks for their contributions to the Islamic banking and the country’s economy. They are Mufti Abdur Rahman (for 2007), Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (2008), Exim Bank (2009), Sayeed Kamal Uddin Zafree (2010), former Exim Bank managing director Muhammad Farid Uddin Ahmed (2011) and Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd managing director Mohammad Abdul Mannan (2012).