Jamia Introduction

Shahbagh Jamia Madania is an ideal religious school that has become a hit in a very short time. Like a living tree standing tall, it is a garden adorned with the evergreen foliage of knowledge and revelation. It is located about 48 kilometers east of Sylhet city, the spiritual capital of Bangladesh, which is associated with the holy memory of Shahjalal and blessed with the footstep of Shaykhul Arab Wal Azam Hussain Ahmed Madani (RA). The institution is located in a very pleasant environment in the traditional rural area of ​​Shahbagh in Barhal Union No. 1 under Zakiganj Police Station on the border. The infrastructure of Jamia is very spacious with two one-story buildings, one two-story building, three four-story buildings, one four-story orphanage, one four-story mosque, one four-story guest house, one one-story madrasa-market and a four-story building under construction. In the middle of Jamia, there is a huge pond with ghats on three sides, in the middle of which there is an attractive swimming bridge. The four fields add a touch of aesthetics to the beauty of Jamia. Today’s Jamia campus is bustling with students thirsting for knowledge of religion from different parts of the country, attracted by the quality environment and the reputation of advanced education.

Foundation tour::
In a blessed hour of 1395 AH, 1975 AH, the first foundation of Shahbagh Jamia Madaniya was laid in the spiritual environment of some enlightened people who were inspired by the spirit of spreading knowledge and religion. Under the guidance of the famous Alimuddin Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Shaikhe Charipari (may Allah be pleased with him), at the initiative of the very popular personality Shaikh Muinuddin (may Allah be pleased with him), and with the tireless efforts and cooperation of the local people, this religious seminary was established. Initially named ‘Shahbagh Darul Hifz Madrasa’, it was later renamed ‘Shahbagh Darul Hifz Alia Madrasa’. Shaikh Muinuddin (may Allah be pleased with him) was appointed as the Muhtamim of this madrasa, which started with the Tahfizul Quran department. He fulfilled this responsibility till his death and was able to give the madrasa an institutional form. After his death in 1996, when the people of the area requested the Waliqul Shiromani, Khalifa-e-Madani Allama Abdul Ghaffar Shaykh Mamrakhani (may Allah have mercy on him) to take over the responsibility of the Ihtemam, he accepted this important responsibility. Until his death, he completed all the work as Muhtamim and developed the Madrasa into an enlightened institution. On the other hand, since there was no system of Ramadan Qiraat training in this region, in 1985, with the advice and overall cooperation of the local people, through the tireless efforts and selfless struggle of the talented son of Shahbag, the renowned Alim Shaykh Maulana Qari Abdul Hafiz Damat Barakatuhum, the ‘Ramadan Qiraat Department’ was started under the Madaniya Quran Education Board. Its name was ‘Shahbag Ramadan Qiraat Training Center’. He continued to manage it smoothly. In fact, this stream of Qiraat training became a milestone in the development of the madrasa. In a very short time, the center gained wide popularity, and due to the lack of space for students and teachers, a three-story building was constructed in 2001. With his tireless work and relentless efforts, the Shahbagh center was able to achieve a leading position in the world of Qiraat. On the other hand, after the death of Shaykh Mamrakhani (may Allah be pleased with him), the educational activities of the ‘Shahbagh Darul Hifz Alia Madrasa’ became somewhat weak. Therefore, with the aim of reforming and progressing the institution, on the advice of religious Muslims in the Shahbagh area, an initiative was taken to unite both the madrasas and arrange them in a new form in 2006 AD. At the joint request of the members of the Shura Committee of the Madrasa and the countrymen, the devoted Khadim of the religion, Shaykh Qari Maulana Abdul Hafiz Damat Barakatuhum Ihtemam, took over the responsibility. Then, it was as if the Jamia gained a new life. Along with this, on 02.10.2006, the Executive Committee meeting unanimously named it ‘Shahbag Jamia Madaniya Qasimul Uloom’, which was affidavited on 20.06.2007 by the First Class Magistrate Court of Zakiganj. With new enthusiasm, the dream journey of the Jamia began in a completely creative manner. Due to the overall changes and improvement in the quality of education, the reputation and fame of the Jamia spread in the country and abroad within a short time. Since then, by the grace of Allah, the flow of development and progress of the Madrasa has never slowed down.

Introduction of Takmil Fil Hadith in Boys and Girls Sections:
In a blessed hour of 1395 AH, 1975 AH, the first foundation of Shahbagh Jamia Madaniya was laid in the spiritual environment of some enlightened people who were inspired by the spirit of spreading knowledge and religion. Under the guidance of the famous Alimuddin Hazrat Maulana Abdur Rahim Shaikhe Charipari (may Allah be pleased with him), at the initiative of the very popular personality Shaikh Muinuddin (may Allah be pleased with him), and with the tireless efforts and cooperation of the local people, this religious seminary was established. Initially named ‘Shahbagh Darul Hifz Madrasa’, it was later renamed ‘Shahbagh Darul Hifz Alia Madrasa’. Shaikh Muinuddin (may Allah be pleased with him) was appointed as the Muhtamim of this madrasa, which started with the Tahfizul Quran department. He fulfilled this responsibility till his death and was able to give the madrasa an institutional form. After his death in 1996, when the people of the area requested the Waliqul Shiromani, Khalifa-e-Madani Allama Abdul Ghaffar Shaykh Mamrakhani (may Allah have mercy on him) to take over the responsibility of the Ihtemam, he accepted this important responsibility. Until his death, he completed all the work as Muhtamim and developed the Madrasa into an enlightened institution. On the other hand, since there was no system of Ramadan Qiraat training in this region, in 1985, with the advice and overall cooperation of the local people, through the tireless efforts and selfless struggle of the talented son of Shahbag, the renowned Alim Shaykh Maulana Qari Abdul Hafiz Damat Barakatuhum, the ‘Ramadan Qiraat Department’ was started under the Madaniya Quran Education Board. Its name was ‘Shahbag Ramadan Qiraat Training Center’. He continued to manage it smoothly. In fact, this stream of Qiraat training became a milestone in the development of the madrasa. In a very short time, the center gained wide popularity, and due to the lack of space for students and teachers, a three-story building was constructed in 2001. With his tireless work and relentless efforts, the Shahbagh center was able to achieve a leading position in the world of Qiraat. On the other hand, after the death of Shaykh Mamrakhani (may Allah be pleased with him), the educational activities of the ‘Shahbagh Darul Hifz Alia Madrasa’ became somewhat weak. Therefore, with the aim of reforming and progressing the institution, on the advice of religious Muslims in the Shahbagh area, an initiative was taken to unite both the madrasas and arrange them in a new form in 2006 AD. At the joint request of the members of the Shura Committee of the Madrasa and the countrymen, the devoted Khadim of the religion, Shaykh Qari Maulana Abdul Hafiz Damat Barakatuhum Ihtemam, took over the responsibility. Then, it was as if the Jamia gained a new life. Along with this, on 02.10.2006, the Executive Committee meeting unanimously named it ‘Shahbag Jamia Madaniya Qasimul Uloom’, which was affidavited on 20.06.2007 by the First Class Magistrate Court of Zakiganj. With new enthusiasm, the dream journey of the Jamia began in a completely creative manner. Due to the overall changes and improvement in the quality of education, the reputation and fame of the Jamia spread in the country and abroad within a short time. Since then, by the grace of Allah, the flow of development and progress of the Madrasa has never slowed down.

Educational activities:
The backbone of any educational institution is its education. Its lifeblood lies in learning and teaching. If there is even the slightest negligence in this regard, the institution is bound to become lifeless. Thank God, the Jamia authorities believe in managing its education department with utmost importance. Currently, about two thousand students are studying in the Jamia under the supervision of 70 experienced teachers. Every year, the students of the Jamia are blessed with enviable results by participating in the central examinations held under the boards of Al-Hayatul Ulya, Azad Dini Edara, Befaqul Madaris, Tanzimul Madaris and Rabetatul Madaris. The educational programs of the Jamia are organized into several departments. Namely; Kitab Department, Tahfizul Quran Department, Banat Department, Islamic Kindergarten and Noorani Department, Qiraat Department, Orphanage Department, Computer Department and Technical Department.

General Education Department:
This is the largest department among all the departments. The highest Jamaat Takmeel Fil Hadith, including the higher and secondary level Jamaats, are included in this department. In addition to Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh and Arabic language and literature, Bengali, Urdu and English language Kitabadi are prescribed as textbooks. Here, an attempt is made to develop students as competent and conscious scholars by teaching a syllabus rich in religious and secular knowledge and science. Along with training, equal importance is also given to the education of the students, so that the students can guide the nation on the right path as an ideal leader in all spheres of religion, society and the state.

Tahfizul Quran Section:
This department can be called an integral part of the Jamia. The journey of the Jamia first started through this department. Currently, more than three hundred students are completing the memorization of the Holy Quran under the close supervision of 13 skilled Hafiz Sahib. At the same time, they are also learning basic Tajweed and important matters. The main goal of this department is to produce pure Hafiz of the Al-Quran. So that through this, he is respected and appreciated in this world and the hereafter and the responsibility of preserving the Book of Allah is also fulfilled.

Islamic Kindergarten Department:
This department is very important for primary level education. The main objective of this department is to provide basic religious education to the young children of the area as well as proper teaching of Bengali, Maths and English. The department is being run under the loving supervision of 14 teachers trained in child education. One of the features of the department is to provide education in the light of child psychology in a scientific manner. In this department, in addition to teaching Quran recitation, Hadith reading, Tajweed, urgent masayel etc., books of the National Education Board primary syllabus are also taught with equal importance. Along with this, arrangements are also made for the students of the fifth grade to take the National Education Board primary final examination on the initiative of the madrasa. For the physical exercise and mental development of the children, safe sports and physical exercise opportunities are provided under the supervision of teachers every day after Asr.

Ramadan recitation training:
This branch of Jamia is a well-known branch in the country and abroad. This branch has been serving the Quran for a long time, 38 years. Its main goal is to provide training to Muslim children in reciting the correct Quran based on Tajweed. It is the largest and most well-known center under the Madaniya Quran Education Board. Hundreds of students from far and wide gather here every Ramadan. This department is being run with great fame and reputation by qualified reciters from the nursery class to Dauratul Quranil Karim. Due to the infinite grace of Allah Almighty and the tireless efforts of the teachers, the students here are able to get the best results in the board exams every year. May Allah Almighty accept this branch.

Computer and Internet Department:
The present modern era is dependent on computers and the internet. There is no alternative to computers in terms of exchanging and collecting information. Through this, various libraries of the world can be visited in an instant. Therefore, Shahbagh Jamia’s presence online is constant. This is a surprisingly vast world of knowledge. We want to teach everyone how to swim in this ocean of knowledge, keeping in mind the dream of an enlightened future for our students. On the other hand, its importance as a means of earning a living is immense. Considering these various aspects, Shahbagh Jamia Madania has taken the initiative of computer training for the past few years. There are 10 computers for training. Since there are not enough computers in this department compared to the interested trainees, there is a dire need for a few more computers. I wish the religious and compassionate brothers to pay attention to this issue.

Orphanage Department:
All levels of education at Shahbagh Jamia Madaniya are completely unpaid. However, the problem of student dropout has not been completely eradicated. Especially orphan children are deprived of even the minimum facilities to meet their basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, etc. and are necessarily involved in immoral child labor, abandoning the thought of studying. In this way, a significant part of the new generation is lost from Islamic education and values, and the possibility of a healthy lifestyle. In an attempt to overcome this social crisis, Shahbagh Jamia Madaniya Orphanage was established in 2008 as an educational and social welfare wing of Shahbagh Jamia Madaniya. For this charitable project, Mr. Haji Abdullah Mia, a resident of Mahidpur, donated 12 acres of land and the entire construction cost of the ground floor of the building, which was built on a five-story foundation, was borne by Mr. Dr. Abdul Malik, a talented child of Shahbagh and an expatriate in the United States. Currently, more than four hundred orphans and needy children are living in it – all the expenses of whose food, clothing, education and treatment are borne by the Madrasa authorities. It is worth mentioning that, as the first quality orphanage established in this area, it has been widely praised and inspected and has been registered by the Ministry of Social Welfare of Bangladesh on 11/07/2010, Registration No. 1117/10. Shahbagh Jamia Madania is appealing to the generous support of the charitable society to continue the infrastructural expansion, quality improvement and smooth management of the orphanage.

Girls’ Division:
Considering various aspects, Shahbagh Jamia Madania has started a girls’ wing in a separate building under its own supervision. With full attention to the Sharia rules and regulations, it has ensured religious education for girls through the formulation of a completely new curriculum, advanced and effective syllabus. Along with this, it has also given special importance to the necessary secular education. About three hundred girls are studying under the full supervision of eight teachers. Many of the girls have to come from far and wide. For this purpose, Jamia has purchased a bus. Girls from far away travel to the madrasa in that bus. Al-Midad Girls’ Parliament has been formed to make the girls proficient in different languages ​​and develop their writing skills. Through this, training is provided to the girls on various subjects every week. In addition, wall papers are published in different languages ​​on behalf of the girls’ parliament.

Al-Midad Student Council:
Al-Midad Student Council is a student organization. It organizes weekly lectures and debates to develop the intellectual capacity and develop the speaking skills of the students. In addition to the textbooks included in the syllabus, Al-Midad Student Council has arranged a separate library with books on various subjects so that the students can acquire versatile knowledge. In addition to publishing literary magazines to develop students into competent and skilled writers, three periodicals are published quarterly in Arabic, Bengali and English. Articles, stories and rhymes, poems, etc. written by the students are published in them. A biweekly magazine called ‘Anuperona’ is also published to encourage young writers in their literary pursuits. Every year, Jamia’s annual mouthpiece At-Takbir and Eshana is published around the annual conference of Jamia and has already been able to create a huge response among the country’s intellectual readers. Under the initiative of the Jamia students’ literary organization Alokita Lekhak Mancha, formed under the Student Union, special bulletins have been published irregularly at different times under various names such as ‘Al-Hafiz’, Shafqat, Marsia, Chittrodan, Artanad and Bedna, etc. In addition, there is also an opportunity to learn computers under the supervision of the Student Union for the purpose of training students.

Al-Mu’een Council:
The Fuzala, Huffaz, Qurra and Abna of Shahbagh Jamia are spread across different parts of the country. In order to keep their relationship with the Jamia intact and to perpetuate their mutual harmony, Al-Muin Parishad was formed on 26.01.2013 in Islam after the founder of the Jamia, Muhtamim Maulana Shaykh Muinuddin (may Allah have mercy on him). Another important goal of this council is to organize various services for Islam and the Muslim community and to implement the vision and movement of Darul Uloom Deoband, the memorable one of Akbar-Aslaf, at the grassroots level of society. This is the exclusive organization of the Fuzala, Qurra, Abna and Huffaz of the Jamia. Under this council, various memorials, magazines and supplements are published every year on the occasion of the annual Islamic conference of the Jamia. Last year, this organization organized a seminar titled ‘Islamic Jurisprudence in the Light of the Quran and Sunnah’. It published a memoir titled ‘Al-Hikmah’ based on the essays written by the Jamia’s eminent scholars at the seminar.

Language learning courses:
The time is now such that it is not possible to prove Islam as superior in the modern world by reading a few books selected from the syllabus. To make the religion victorious, one must first be strong with all the necessary knowledge. Of course, for this, there is no alternative to acquiring proficiency in different languages, especially English. To fulfill this need, the Faculty of Modern Language Education has been started, where there is a system of acquiring proficiency in three languages, Arabic, Bengali and English, as an additional opportunity outside the curriculum books and time, by skilled teachers.

Fatwa Section:
Islam is an eternal system of life. Islam has a complete and effective system for solving all the problems of human personal and social life. But since problems are not always the same everywhere, and new demands and complications appear in new times and situations, there is an opportunity to invent appropriate and timely solutions to the problems that arise by thinking and researching from the sources of Islamic law according to the philosophy and principles of the Quran and Sunnah. This is called fatwa. Only a conscious Muslim, apart from his moral and social responsibilities, seeks fatwa on various issues from his religious consciousness. He approaches the eminent mufti and the fatwa department. On this basis, Jamia has opened a department called the fatwa department to provide solutions to various problems of society. It is known as one of the fatwa departments in East Sylhet. The department is determined to give fatwa in a proper manner by analyzing the incident with great responsibility and discretion. By the grace of Allah, Shahbagh Jamia Madaniya has been successfully providing this important service to Islam and Muslims for a long time by providing correct solutions to various personal, family and social questions and problems of Muslims in the light of the Quran and Sunnah. Currently, written fatwas are issued based on the decisions taken by the joint fatwa board of six muftis. May Allah grant it further progress.

Library Department:
The importance of the library in human life is immense. It is difficult for a nation to stand tall without a developed library. The richer the library of a nation, the richer that nation is in terms of knowledge and experience. Shahbagh Jamia Madania is always eager to develop its library into a rich library. Every year, books worth lakhs of taka are purchased to transform the library into a large library with thousands of books and volumes. However, there is still a need for many books. Due to financial constraints, purchasing them remains out of reach. Meanwhile, it is essential to pay attention to the well-wishers of Jamia.

Publications Department:
Currently, the Muslim Ummah is surrounded by various false forces. False sects have emerged in many forms. There is no alternative to publishing to expose these falsehoods and raise the voice of truth and righteous intentions. Shahbagh Jamia Madaniya has a strong publishing department. Various types of booklets, magazines and bulletins are published under this department. In addition, the annual mouthpiece ‘At-Takbir’ is published every year under the supervision of Al-Midad Students’ Association. So far, 13 ‘At-Takbir’, 3 ‘Eshana’ and five other books under different names have been published under this department. Every year, an Arabic magazine named ‘Al-Manar’, a Bengali magazine named ‘Adhyayan’ and an English magazine named ‘The Page of Knowledge’ are published quarterly. Six obituaries have been published on the deaths of some teachers and students of the madrasa. In addition, this department has been able to earn the praise of the learned community by publishing special bulletins, supplements, and periodicals with rich writings on the occasion of various national and religious days.

Technical Department:
A separate technical department has been opened under the Banat branch of Jamia. Twenty sewing machines have been purchased under this department last year. Currently, more than a hundred students are being provided sewing training by skilled female instructors. Any student who participates in it has the opportunity to take training. A few female teachers of Jamia are assigned to supervise this department. Jamia is taking initiatives to further develop and activate the department. Besides, Jamia is also thinking of opening an ‘Electronic Training Department’ under the Technical Training Department.

Residential Dormitory Department:
Initially, there was no need for a residential hostel as there were few students and there was sufficient lodging facility. Later, as the number of students increased several times and there was no provision for all the students to have their own land, the Jamia authorities started a hostel department on the advice of the locals. This department provides free accommodation and food to the poor and meritorious students. About eight hundred meritorious students stay in the hostel day and night. A head teacher and eight assistant teachers are assigned to supervise them day and night.

Jamia’s Management and other councils: Majlis-e-Shura, Majlis-e-Amela, Majlis-e-Aam, Ihtemam Department, Talimat Department, Accounting Department, Majlis-e-Ilmi, Board of Trustees.

Honorable Presidents of Jamia:
One of the few people who had a special contribution to the establishment of Shahbagh Jamia Madaniya was Mr. Alhaj Abdur Rahman Amir Saheb, who was the first president of the executive committee. From 1975 until his death, he carried out this important responsibility very efficiently for 43 years. After his death, the valiant freedom fighter Mr. Fazlul Haque Abul Mia served as the president since 2017. May Allah Almighty reward the said presidents and all the living and deceased members of Majlis-e-Shura and Majlis-e-Amela for their religious service.

Names of the land donors of Jamia’s academic building:
Mr. Haji Mubarak Ali Chowdhury, (land grantor during the establishment), Mr. Haji Abdullah Mia, Mr. Haji Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Mr. Haji Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Ms. Anwara Begum Chowdhury, Mr. Haji Ekramul Haque Chowdhury, Mr. Haji Nezam Mia Chowdhury, Mr. Haji Abdul Hadi Chowdhury and the late Alhaj Enamul Haque Chowdhury. In addition, many others have contributed to the Madrasa in other ways, including land donation. May Allah grant them all a fair return.

Multipurpose Farm Project:

Under this project, about three hundred bighas of land in Shahbagh Haor is owned by Jamia through purchase and donation. Five large fisheries have been dug in it. In addition to fish farming, various types of vegetables are also cultivated in the Negrani under independent management. A four-story building has been constructed. A cow and goat farm has been set up in it.

Jamia is blessed by the feet of the distinguished scholars who touched it.:
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Jamia’s renowned Muhtamim Shaykh Qari Maulana Abdul Hafiz Sahib, many Ulema and Shaykhs from home and abroad have visited Jamia. Some of them are: Fedaye Millat Allama Asad Madani (RA), Fedaye Millat Allama Arshad Madani (RA), Mufti-e-Azam Pakistan Mufti Muhammad Rafi Usmani (RA), Sahibzada of Pir-e-Kamil Hazrat Hakeem Akhtar Sahib Hazrat Hakeem Mazhar (RA), Allama Tayyibur Rahman Baro Bhuiyan (RA), Chief Imam and Khatib of Masjid-e-Aqsa Ali Umar Yaqub Al-Abbasi, Abu Anas Al-Jilani of Saudi Arabia, General Secretary of Befaqul Madaris Pakistan Allama Hanif Jalandhari, Deputy Mufti of Darul Uloom Karachi Maulana Abdul Mannan, Ameer-e-Hefazat Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi (RA), Khalifa-e-Madani Allama Abdul Mumin Shaikh Imambari Rah., Maulana Muhi Uddin Khan Rah., Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini Rah., Allama Junayd Babunagri Rah., Allama Tafazzul Haque Shaykh Habiganji Rah., Maulana Mufti Muhammad Wakkas Rah., Shaykhul Hadith Ishaq Rah. and Allama Noor Hussain Qasemi Rah. etc. Also, every year, at the request of the Jamia Muhtamim Sahib and at the request of the Jamia, the last Khalifa of Shaykhul Hadith Zakaria Rah., Allama Bilal Bawa Da.Ba., Shaykhul Hadith Allama Abdur Rahim Limbada, Shaykhut Tafsir Shaykh Dr. Shahbagh Jamia was blessed with the presence of Ashraf Maqdam, Pir Kamil Maulana Rashidur Rahman Faruk Barnavi, renowned Muhaddith Maulana Muqaddas Ali Shaikhe Barogatta, Shaykhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad bin Idris Shaikhe Lakshmipuri, Sadare Edara Maulana Shaikh Zia Uddin, and others.

Jamia’s future plans:
The scope of the overall activities of this traditional religious educational institution is gradually increasing. Its physical structure is expanding day by day. The future plans of Jamia are quite important. If Allah gives tawfeeq, Jamia is fully optimistic to implement all the plans. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Due to the lack of separate residential hostel facilities due to the location, students are using classrooms as living quarters. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a separate hostel.
• The idea of ​​building a staff quarter to facilitate Jamia teachers and their families to live near the institution dates back a long time.
• Jamia has planned to introduce branches of specialization to provide students with the opportunity to pursue higher education based on the subject matter. In particular, there are plans to introduce an Ifta department in the near future.
• There are plans to build a four-story Darul Hadith building.
• There are plans to build a spacious and quality seminar hall.

The Jamia authorities are thinking about many more such small and big plans. May Allah grant them the ability to implement all the activities planned by Jamia. Ameen.