Islamic Foundation Bangladesh

Islamic Foundation Bangladesh (Bengali: ইসলামিক ফাউন্ডেশন বাংলাদেশ) is a government organization under the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Bangladesh working to disseminate values and ideals of Islam and carry out activities related to those values and ideals.[2][3] The head office of the foundation is in Dhaka, which is supported by 6 divisional offices and 64 district offices, as well as 7 Imam Training Academy Centers and 29 Islamic Mission Centers.[3] The director general is the chief executive of the foundation.[3]

Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh
Formation22 March 1975
FounderSheikh Mujibur Rahman
TypeIslamic education, Publication and research activities
HeadquartersSher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Location
  • Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Agargoan, Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Official language
Bengali
Director General
Muhammad Abdul Hamid Jammadar[1]
Budget
Allocated by Government
Staff
1477
Websiteislamicfoundation.gov.bd

History
Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Sub Office of the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh

In 1959, two organizations were formed in Dhaka, Bangladesh to propagate the teachings and following of Islam. The Baitul Mukarram Society built the Baitul Mukarram (Arabic: بيت المكرّم‎; the holy house) mosque and Islamic scholars formed a Darul Ulum (Arabic: دار العلوم‎; house of knowledge) to popularize and research on Islamic philosophy, culture and way of life.[2] In 1960, the Darul Ulum was renamed as Islamic Academy and was made a branch of Central Institute of Islamic Research based in Karachi.[2]

The current organization came into effect in 1974, when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formally inaugurated as the Islamic Foundation.[4]

On 20–22 March 1978, the foundation organized a seminar sponsored by the OIC and attended by representatives of 16 countries including Bangladesh.[2] In 1979-80, development of the foundation got a new momentum.[2]

Controversy

In 2015, Islamic Foundation Bangladesh issued a fatwa banning the use of chairs for elderly worshipers in mosques. The head of the foundation, Shamim Afzal told Agence France-Presse, "There are no instances of the Prophet (pbuh) praying while sitting on a chair," despite numerous hadiths contradicting this claim.[5] He added that "chairs spoiled the beauty of the mosques."[5]

Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Rajshahi Branch Office

This led to outrage and protest from more erudite ulema, who termed it "an incorrect and exaggerated decision."[5][6] The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a statement that she was "stunned" by such a fatwa, terming it incorrect. She added that she herself offered prayers in chairs during flights.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Islamic Foundation: Director Generals". Islamic Foundation Bangladesh Official Website. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  2. Amran, Syed Mohammed Shah; Ali, Syed Ashraf (2012). "Islamic Foundation Bangladesh". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  3. "Islamic Foundation". Bangladesh Directory. Retrieved 25 December 2007.
  4. "Country to be run as per Madinah Charter: PM". The Daily Star. UNB. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  5. "Prayers on chairs ban sparks outrage in Bangladesh". The Express Tribune. AFP. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  6. "Bangladeshis Decry Chairs Ban in Mosques". OnIslam.net. OnIslam.net. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  7. Tusher, Hasan Jahid (2 June 2015). "Islamic Foundation fatwa incorrect: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tells cabinet meeting, says she herself offers prayers in chairs during flights". The Daily Star. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
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