Imams in Bangladesh Mobilize Against Human Trafficking

This brief article discusses how more than 2,000 imams in Bangladesh are fighting human trafficking by working with a local programme offered by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) United Development Initiatives for Programmed Actions (UDDIPAN). With support from the Academy for Educational Development (AED), the Community Mobilization Program Involving Imams in Anti-Trafficking (COMPIAT) provides training to and supports networking among Imams in what are considered the 20 most-affected districts. With approximately 250,000 mosques in Bangladesh and at least as many imams, this training and support is seen by AED as a significant national media effort.

According to the article, many imams have a deep-seated mistrust for NGOs. "By linking anti-trafficking to the teachings of Islam and showing tangible changes in the communities involved, the project works to build trust between the imams and the NGO community."

Imams involved in the project include information about trafficking prevention in their weekly prayer recitations, and they organise village gatherings and lead community watchdog groups.