|| Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today at a reception for Bangladeshi Hafez, who won prizes at an international Holy Quran competition last month in Saudi Arabia. Photo: PMONews Desk: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government would try to recognise whatever good achievements the country’s children make through their merit and competence, as he hosted a reception for Bangladeshi Hafez who won prizes at an international Holy Quran competition last month in Saudi Arabia.“You have won the prizes, and this is not just your achievement, I think it is an achievement of all Muslims of Bangladesh,” he said, referring to the prize-winning Hafez who took part in the 46th King Abdulaziz International Holy Quran Competition held in Saudi Arabia.The reception was held at the meeting room of the Cabinet Division at Bangladesh Secretariat here, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.  Referring to the initiative to encourage and honour the Hafez, Tarique Rahman said, “Almost all of you have mentioned that the Hafez have been encouraged and honoured after a long time. “It is the policy of the government to recognise at the state level the good achievements made by the country’s children, who are the future of the country, through their merit and talent,” he said. The Prime Minister stressed the need for encouraging meritorious people and properly evaluating their achievements, saying, the future generations and the country would certainly be benefited if meritorious people could be encouraged and properly evaluated. The country will be benefited, and the people of the country will be benefited.”He said the government has been trying to encourage meritorious and competent people since it assumed office, and inviting Hafez who won prizes in international competitions was part of the initiative.At the programme, teachers of the prize-winning Hafez drew the Prime Minister’s attention to some of their concerns. The Prime Minister assured them that he would look into the issues in consultation with the concerned minister. Tarique Rahman also assured them of government support for participating in international competitions in the future.“There may be more such competitions ahead. If you need any government assistance to participate in such competitions in the future, inform us in accordance with the rules. We will take measures from the government to the extent possible,” he said.He added, “We want our boys and girls to participate in such international competitions and, through their participation, bring honour and glory to themselves, the country and the people of the country.”The Prime Minister also called for collective efforts to establish peace and bring about positive changes in the country.“Our ways of working may be somewhat different, but our goal is the same — to establish peace in the country so that we can all live well, live together in peace, and live with dignity as human being. That is our effort, that is our initiative,” he said.Seeking everyone’s cooperation and prayers for the government, Tarique Rahman said, “We want to work for the country and its people. We want to move forward together with everyone. We want to bring about positive changes in the country together with everyone.”At the reception, the Prime Minister presented books to the winners. Earlier, he listened to the Quran recitation of the Surahs through which the Hafez won their prizes.At the competition held in Saudi Arabia, Bangladeshi Hafez Mohammad Zakaria secured first place in the 15-Para Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category among contestants from 133 countries. Sheikh Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Ashrafi won third place in the 30 Para Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category. Hafeza Rabeta Binte Ramzan secured third place in the 15 Para category, while Hafeza Musfira Binte Mahmud won third place in the 30 Para Hifz, Tajweed and beautiful recitation category.Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad, State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar and Maulana Rafiqul Islam were present on the occasion.Teachers of the prize-winning Hafez, including Kaiyum Molla, Muinuddin Majumdar, Abu Bakar and Sajeda Khatun were also present.