Madhya Pradesh govt hikes honorarium of Muslim clerics

The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday more than doubled the honorarium paid to Muslim

clerics and muezzins in the state. Chief Minister Kamal Nath gave his nod to a proposal

to hike the honorarium of imams from Rs 2,200 to Rs 5,000 per month and that of their deputies - muezzins - from Rs 1,900 to

Rs 4,500 a month, a government officer said. The hike was suggested by Minister of Minority Affairs

Arif Aqueel at the inauguration of a building of the Madhya Pradesh Masajid Committee near the famous Taj-ul Masajid

(mosque) here and Nath promptly gave his nod, he said. The committee is a religious institution of the Muslim

community. Imams lead the prayers, while muezzins give calls for

prayers. Service to humanity is the biggest religion. We serve

our religions by servicing the needy," Nath said at the function.

Our country's culture is great as we respect feelings of each other which fosters unity and peaceful co-existence,

Nath added. Our culture of unity in diversity remains intact till

today as generations after generations have demonstrated their dedication to this principle," the chief minister added.

Nath said the biggest challenge today is to take the values of our great culture and diversity to the young

generation.