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Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh

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Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh
আঞ্জুমানে ইত্তেহাদুল মাদারিস বাংলাদেশ
NicknameIttihad
Formation1959; 66 years ago (1959)
Founders
Founded atAl Jamia Al Islamia Patiya
TypeNGO
Legal statusBoard of education
PurposeEducation
Headquarters
  • Lokman Tower, Kalpalok R/A, Chittagong (S)
  • Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya, Chittagong (A)
Location
Region served
Chittagong
Chief Patron
Muhibbullah Babunagari (A)
Chairman
Secretary-General
Parent organisation
Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh
AffiliationsDeobandi movement
Website
"(S)" indicates Sultan Zauq Nadwi's faction, while "(A)" represents Hafez Ahmadullah's faction.

Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh is one of six officially recognized Qawmi madrasa education boards in Bangladesh, operating under Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh. Founded in 1959 under the influence of Azizul Haque, the founder of Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya, and with the support of Muhammad Yunus, his successor, it has developed a structured 15-year curriculum comprising six stages and central examinations. It serves both administrative and academic roles for its affiliated madrasas. Since late 2023, the board has been embroiled in internal conflict, resulting in a split into two rival factions—one led by Sultan Zauq Nadwi and Obaidullah Hamzah, and the other by Hafez Ahmadullah and Ekram Hossain Adudi.

Formation

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Azizul Haque, a spiritual leader and the founding Director General of Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya, played a central role in the establishment of this board. Under his leadership, many administrators of Qawmi madrasas, influenced by his guidance, requested that he assume the role of patron for their institutions. In response, he accepted the position and compiled a list of affiliated madrasas.[1] To formalize the structure, he distributed a questionnaire to the heads of these institutions, seeking clarity on whether they preferred comprehensive oversight—covering educational and financial matters—or a more symbolic affiliation, and whether they wished to align their curriculum with Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya or retain academic independence. The feedback from this process led to the formation of a governing board in 1959.[2] That same year, Azizul Haque stepped down due to old age, and Muhammad Yunus was appointed as his successor. As a result, a consortium of 43 Qawmi madrasas came together under this new framework, marking the beginning of Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh.[2]

Before his death in 1961, Azizul Haque oversaw the drafting of the board's first constitution in Urdu, titled Dastur-e-Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris, which outlined its governance structure and guiding principles, serving as a foundational framework for coordinating affiliated madrasas.[3] Decades later, recognizing the need for a localized version, the board—under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus—unanimously decided in 1991 to develop a comprehensive constitution in Bengali, tailored to the specific context of Qawmi madrasas in Bangladesh. A seven-member subcommittee was formed to draft the document, and under the presidency of Harun Islamabadi, the Bengali-language constitution was officially adopted in 1992.[4]

The board was formed to coordinate efforts among Qawmi madrasas, with the aim of fostering cooperation, improving educational standards, and providing administrative guidance. Its functions include offering support during emergencies, advising on institutional governance, and promoting consistency in educational practices. It also seeks to support the dissemination of Islamic teachings and cultural values while preserving the autonomy of its affiliated institutions within a collaborative framework.[5]

Development

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A report published by The Daily Star in 2013 noted that the board was overseeing approximately 600 madrasas in the Chittagong Division, along with a few in Feni and Noakhali, establishing it as a regional educational body.[6] After years of efforts toward the official recognition of Qawmi madrasas, an event took place on April 11, 2017, when Shah Ahmad Shafi, leading a delegation of ulamas, met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who formally announced the recognition of Qawmi certificates. A related gazette was issued by the Ministry of Education on April 13, 2017. On September 19, 2018, the National Parliament passed the Qawmi Madrasa Law, establishing Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh as the highest authority for Qawmi madrasas, recognizing six boards, including Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh.[7] At the time, Sultan Zauq Nadwi, Director General of Darul Ma'arif Al-Islamia, served as the Chairman, and Abdul Halim Bukhari, Director General of Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya, was the Secretary-General. After Abdul Halim Bukhari's death on June 21, 2022, Obaidullah Hamzah succeeded him.[8]

Following Obaidullah Hamzah's appointment, conflicts arose within Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya, and on October 29, 2023, he lost control of the madrasa.[9] A new five-member madrasa management board, led by Abu Taher Nadwi, was formed.[10] An emergency meeting of Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh was held in Chittagong on December 2, 2023, under the leadership of Sultan Zauq Nadwi and Obaidullah Hamzah, where Hamzah's removal was condemned, and a proposal to establish a temporary central office in Chittagong was approved.[11] Meanwhile, another faction of the board held an emergency session at Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya on December 16, electing Hafez Ahmadullah as Chairman and Ekram Hossain Adudi as Secretary-General, arguing that only those affiliated with Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya held legitimate authority over the board.[12][13] On March 12, 2024, a meeting in Chittagong declared Hafez Ahmadullah and Ekram Hossain Adudi's committee illegitimate and reaffirmed the legitimacy of the committee led by Sultan Zauq Nadwi and Obaidullah Hamzah.[14] The Ahmadullah-Adudi group expanded its structure on August 13, 2024, adding 73 committee members and naming Muhibbullah Babunagari as the chief patron.[15] On September 12, 2024, a subcommittee meeting of Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh was held, chaired by Sajidur Rahman, to address the issues concerning Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh. It was decided that both factions would submit lists of affiliated madrasas and a separate list indicating the number of institutions aligned with each group.[16] The Hafez Ahmadullah and Ekram Hossain Adudi faction claimed to be the majority and demanded official recognition as the legitimate representatives, sending an open letter to Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh on October 25, 2024.[17] On October 26, 2024, a meeting of the Permanent Committee of Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, chaired by Mahmudul Hasan, resolved that until the internal conflict within Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh was settled, one representative from each faction would be invited to future Permanent Committee meetings, while no one would be invited to subcommittee sessions.[18]

A total of 799 candidates from both factions of Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh participated in the 2025 central Dawra-e-Hadith examination conducted by Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh.[19] Meanwhile, the committee led by Sultan Zauq Nadwi and Obaidullah Hamzah published the results of their own central examination on March 17, 2025, involving 5,037 candidates,[20] while the committee led by Hafez Ahmadullah and Ekram Hossain Adudi released their results on March 20, 2025, with 5,246 candidates.[21]

Following the death of Sultan Zauq Nadwi on May 2, 2025, his faction held a meeting on May 3 and appointed Furqanullah Khalil as acting chairman.[22]

Education model

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The educational framework of this board spans 15 years, comprising six levels: five years of primary education, two years of lower secondary education, two years of secondary education, two years of higher secondary education, two years of undergraduate study, and two years of postgraduate study.[23] Throughout this educational progression, six central examinations are conducted.[24] The postgraduate level consists of two distinct classes: Ula and Dawra-e-Hadith.[23] The Ula examination is overseen by Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh, while the Dawra-e-Hadith examination is conducted by Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, with the Dawra-e-Hadith certificate being equivalent to a Master of Arts (MA) degree.[25] After completing Dawra-e-Hadith, students can pursue specialized courses in fields such as Tafsir (Qur'anic Exegesis), Hadith (Prophetic Traditions), Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), Qira'at (Recitation), Arabic literature, and Aqidah (Creed and Theology), through one- to two-year programs known as 'Takhassus'.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Nadwi, Sultan Zauq (2022). Tazkira-e Aziz (in Bengali). Ahmad Prokashon. p. 312. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b Nadwi 2022, p. 313.
  3. ^ Bukhari, Abdul Halim (2009). Dasturul Madaris Al-Islamiyyah Al-Ahliyah, Bangladesh (PDF) (in Bengali). Patiya: Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh. pp. 3–4.
  4. ^ Bukhari 2009, p. 4.
  5. ^ Qadir, Masudul (2006). Patiya's Ten Legends (PDF) (in Bengali). Andarkilla: Al Manar Library. p. 42.
  6. ^ "A united front for a divided lot". The Daily Star. 16 June 2013. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  7. ^ "Bill Passed in Parliament, Qawmi Recognition Gains Legal Validity". Prothom Alo. 19 September 2018. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Maulana Obaidullah Hamzah Named Director General of Patiya Madrasa". Daily Naya Diganta. 7 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Allegation of Forced Resignation Signature from Patiya Madrasa's Director General". Jugantor. 29 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  10. ^ "New Governing Body Formed at Patiya Madrasa, Declared Illegal by Director General". Jugantor. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Meeting of Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh Held – Obaidullah Hamzah's Removal Deemed Illegal". Daily Inqilab. 3 December 2023. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025.
  12. ^ "Committee of Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Formed in Patiya". Daily Inqilab. 25 December 2023. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Firm Condemnation and Objection". Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh. 17 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Appointment of New Muhtamim Through Unconstitutional Shura at Patiya Madrasa Deemed Illegal". Dainik Azadi. 12 March 2024. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  15. ^ "Council Session of Anjuman Ittehadul Madaris Takes Place in Patiya". Dainik Azadi. 14 August 2024. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Summary of the Sub-Committee Meeting on Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh". Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh. 14 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Open Letter to Al-Hayatul Ulya from the Patiya Madrasa Community". Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya. 25 October 2024.
  18. ^ "Outcomes of the Standing Committee Meeting Regarding Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh". Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh. 26 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Results Summary" (PDF). Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Central Exam Results of Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Education Board Published". Our Islam. 17 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025.
  21. ^ "Results Published by 'Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh' Education Board". Our Islam. 21 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025.
  22. ^ "Sultan Zauq Nadwi was a distinguished Islamic scholar and a respected Arabic writer of international repute". Daily Inqilab. 25 May 2025.
  23. ^ a b c Bukhari 2009, p. 40.
  24. ^ "Results of Qawmi Madrasa Education Board Ittihad Announced". Jugantor. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025.
  25. ^ "Dawra-e Hadith Results to Be Announced on Sunday". Jagonews24.com. 17 July 2021. Archived from the original on 17 July 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
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