Islamic Foundation | |
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Baitul Mukarram mosque, the headquarters of Islamic Foundation |
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Formation | 1975 |
Type | Islamic education, research and activities |
Headquarters | Baitulmokarram, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
Location | Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Baitul Mukarram, Dhaka,Bangladesh |
Official languages | Bengali, English, Arabic |
Director General | Syed Ashraf Ali |
Staff | 1200 |
Islamic Foundation Bangladesh is an autonomous 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.[1][2] 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.[2] The Director General is the Chief Executive of the Foundation.[2]
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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.[1] In 1960, the Darul ulum was renamed as Islamic Academy and was made a branch of Central Institute of Islamic Research based in Karachi.[1]
In 1972, the Islamic Academy was briefly banned for alleged support for the Pakistani Army against the Awami League.[3] The Academy has been blamed for working to Islamize politics in Bangladesh.[3]
On 22 March 1975, the Baitul Mukarram Society and the Islamic Academy were integrated into one the Islamic Foundation through an ordinance led to the Islamic Foundation Act promulgated on 28 March 1975.[1] The head office of the Foundation was located initially at a building adjacent to the Baitul Mukarram mosque.[1] On 20–22 March 1978, the Foundation drew the attention of the Muslim world when it organized a seminar at Dhaka on human and natural resources in the Islamic countries. The seminar was sponsored by the OIC and attended by representatives of 16 countries including Bangladesh.[1] In 1979-80, development of the Foundation got a new momentum.[1] In 1999, the head office was shifted to its own premises in the Agargaon area of Dhaka.[1] Founder: Bangabandhu Seaikh Mujubur Rahman It's Head office in Baitul Mukarram, Dhaka
According to the Islamic Foundation Act, the aims and objectives of the organisation are:[4]