The Central Chairman of the Bangladesh Dargah Mazar National Coordination Committee, Mr. Alhaj Shah Mohammad Tauhidul Quader Chowdhury, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Tarek Rahman and all members of his newly formed cabinet.
In a statement, he said the victory of the BNP-led government is not merely a transfer of power, but a spontaneous mandate from the people against authoritarian attitudes. The electorate has responded at the ballot box to previous interventions in freedom of speech and religious practices. He expressed hope that the newly elected government will not only work to restore democracy, but also promote Bangladesh’s thousand-year heritage of Sufism and its non-sectarian values. Establishing justice at every level of the state machinery and reviving religious tolerance will be key expectations from the new government.
Mr. Chowdhury also expressed deep concern regarding the management of dargahs and the operations of the Islamic Foundation, noting that over the past 17 months, control of religious institutions has been systematically handed over to groups ideologically opposed to Sufism and dargah traditions. He warned that if Maududi-inspired or Ahl-e-Hadith followers are placed in charge of dargah administration, it creates a conflict of interest, as those who do not hold devotion to ziyarat or wali practices cannot sincerely safeguard or develop these sacred sites. Rather, they may use administrative power to restrict Sufi culture.
He called for immediate reform of the policy-making committees of government-controlled dargahs and key positions in the Islamic Foundation, with appointments of scholars and administrators who uphold Sufi ideology and respect this cultural heritage. He recalled that Bangladesh’s Sufi history includes remarkable examples of devotion, noting that Martyr President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia consistently served the nation’s dargahs and their communities, a legacy he honored with deep respect and prayers.
The statement also highlighted the alarming rise in arrests of Sufi practitioners, Baul artists, and dargah devotees, often under pretexts such as “hurting religious sentiments” or misuse of the Cyber Security Act. Baul music and Sufi practice form an integral part of Bengali folk culture, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. However, extremist groups have provoked administrative actions against these innocent practitioners. The statement stressed that while differences of opinion may exist, imprisoning individuals for their beliefs violates human rights. All Baul and Sufi practitioners detained under false charges should be immediately and unconditionally released, and legal protections must be ensured to prevent future harassment.
Finally, Mr. Chowdhury assured that the organization will provide constructive support to the new government in building a corruption-free nation and promoting economic liberation for the people. Considering the upcoming holy month of Ramadan and the country’s overall situation, he urged vigilance to maintain peace and discipline and ensure that dargahs continue to offer a genuinely spiritual environment.