Naripokkho on Saturday welcomed the government鈥檚 recent initiative to appoint music teachers in all primary schools across the country.
The women rights organisation praised the move in a statement amid campaigns by several Islamic parties demanding the cancellation of the recruitment circular.
Refuting the claim by those Islamic parties that music was part of a conspiracy to make the next generation 鈥榓nti-Islamic鈥� Naripokkho said that music did not contradict religion, nor did it make anyone more or less religious.
The statement also referred to the protesting Islamic parties which had been pressing for recruiting religious teachers for primary schools instead of appointing music teachers, threatening street protests if their demands were not met.聽
Music fostered cultural sensibility and compassion, contributing positively to children鈥檚 mental development, the statement read.
The rights body further said that many Muslim-majority countries, including Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, teach music at the primary level.
Yet, their children are neither anti-religious nor hostile to their culture.
Calling the government鈥檚 initiative timely and progressive, Naripokkho urged the authorities not to yield to any propaganda or pressure against the move.
The organisation also assured its full cooperation in implementing the decision.聽
Earlier on September 7, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in a statement demanded the cancellation of the appointment of music and dance teachers in primary schools and wanted religious studies teachers鈥� appointment instead.