Most Muslims in the world speak Bengali. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the founder of the Bengali nation state of Bangladesh. He is not only a great hero of freedom but also has made an outstanding contribution to the service of Islam in Bangladesh.
Freedom is a great blessing of God. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under whose guidance our independence was achieved. Thanks to Almighty Allah, we got an extraordinary leader like Bangabandhu. He possessed a simple and generous human spirit. His ancestor Sheikh Awal took the discipleship of Hazrat Bayezid Bostami (RA) and first came to the Indian subcontinent with him to spread Islam. Later his descendants settled in Tungipara of present Gopalganj district. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu is the seventh descendant of Islamic preacher Sheikh Awal. Bangabandhu’s father Sheikh Lutfar Rahman was a Sufi character.
Bangabandhu never used Islam for political purposes. He said in a radio address on the eve of the general elections of 1970: “We do not believe in Islam, in response to the false propaganda against me, our clear statement is that we do not believe in Islam at all.” We believe in Islam of justice.
He was always trying to make the beloved motherland Bangladesh a country of peace for all people of all religions. He followed the state system of Madinah established by Rasool Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. The outstanding contribution he made to the propagation and spread of Islam during his reign is rare in the Muslim world.
Contributions of Bangabandhu in spreading Islam:
1) Bangabandhu is a dear devotee of Islam. In 1974, he visited the shrine of Bara Pir Hazrat Abdul Quader Jilani (RA) in Baghdad, Iraq.
2) Establishment of Islamic Foundation: After independence, Bangabandhu established the ‘Islamic Foundation’ for propagation, propagation and research of Islam in Bangladesh. The publications of the Islamic Foundation established on March 28, 1975 are now recognized internationally.
3) Reorganization of Madrasa Education Board: Bangabandhu reorganized the Madrasa Education Board with the aim of building a life based on Islamic beliefs and expanding religious education. Bangabandhu was the first to give autonomy to the Madrasa Education Board and named it ‘Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board.’
4) Allotment of place for World Ijtema in Tongi: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave the place on the bank of Turag river for peaceful observance of World Ijtema. Since then, pilgrims from all over the world have been performing Vishwa Ijtema at that place.
5) System of Government Grants for Performing Holy Hajj: There was no government grant system for Hajj pilgrims during Pakistan period. Bangabandhu arranged grants from government funds for Hajj pilgrims in post-independence Bangladesh. As a result, Hajj pilgrims get financial savings.
6) Establishment of Sirat Majlish in the month of Rabiul Awal: Under the guidance and patronage of Bangabandhu, an institution called Sirat Majlish was established in Dhaka. In 1973 and 1974, Sirat Majlish organized the Eid Miladunnabi mahfil celebration program in the first large scale in independent Bangladesh in the month of Rabiul Awal, the month of the arrival of the beloved Prophet. As President, Bangabandhu inaugurated the Mahfil at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque premises.
7) Broadcasting of Islamic programs on radio and television: During Bangabandhu’s regime, he first arranged to broadcast the recitation of the Holy Qur’an and religious programs on radio and television.
8) Declaration of public holidays on the occasion of Miladunnabi (PBUH), Shabekdar, Shavebarat: Bangabandhu was the first to declare public holidays in Bangladesh in order to observe the religious days with due dignity.
9) Prohibition and Punishment of Alcohol Gambling: Alcohol gambling is completely prohibited in Islam. After independence, Bangabandhu officially banned these misdemeanors in this country by showing respect to this law of Islam and also issued punishments.
Bangabandhu was killed on August 15, 1975 by the anti-independence gang along with his family. Bangabandhu’s daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana were saved by staying abroad. Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina ruled the country for the first term from 1996 to 2001.
After coming to power in 2008, he managed the country for fifteen consecutive years. At this time, the education certificate of Qaumi Madrasa has been given the status of higher education. He is implementing the work of establishing one model mosque in each upazila of the country. As a worthy daughter of a worthy father, her service to the country and Islam is unique. A tribute to Bangabandhu in August, the month of mourning. May Allah grant him and the martyrs of August 15 a place in Jannatul Ferdows. Amen.
Author : Founder President Amena Khatun Hafezia Quran Research and Cadet Institute Katiyadi, Kishoreganj
