By Sumi Khan

Dhaka, Apr 6 (IANS): The militants and radicals using religion as their business and fighting the Covid-19 outbreak are the two major challenges which the Bangladesh government is facing as of now, said Awami League leader and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday.

"Tackling coronavirus infections and preventing evil activities of the fanatic and religious extremist forces are the challenges the government is facing now," the Road Transport and Bridges Minister said during a video conference while inaugurating a development project.

The general secretary of the ruling party also called for unity among the leaders and activists of the party to fight the challenges.

"It is imperative to consolidate government's efforts to tackle the challenges," said Quader, while urging the party members to forget their differences and strengthen the initiatives taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Quader also urged the people to follow the lockdown rules and health directives to help the government tackle the pandemic.

Taking the rise in Covid-19 cases into consideration, the Prime Minister's Office of Bangladesh issued a gazette notification recently to keep all educational institutions including madrasas closed.

The Bangladesh Education Minister also confirmed on Tuesday that all the madrasas, including Qawmin Madrasas (residential and non-residential), will remain close till further notice while the government had earlier extended the closure of all educational institutions till May 22.

However, orphanages will remain out of the purview, said a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Education adding that the directive will not be relaxed.

Despite the directives, some residential and non-residential madrasas of the country remain opened, which is a health risk in the current situation, said the gazette notification.