Abu Reza Muhammad Nezamuddin

Abu Reza Muhammad Nezamuddin Nadwi (Bengali: আবু রেজা মুহাম্মদ নেজামউদ্দিন নদভী) is a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar, educator. He is a former member of parliament for the Chittagong-15 constituency.^[1][2][3]

Nezamuddin was born on 15 August 1968 to a Bengali family in Madarsha Union, Satkania Upazila, Chittagong District, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). His father, Abul Barakat Muhammad Faizullah, was an Islamic scholar, and his mother, Rahima Khatun, was a housewife. He is a cousin of Dr. Abul Fayez Muhammad Khalid Hossain. Nezamuddin has a Master of Arts and a PhD degree from Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama.^[4]

Since 14 August 2004, Nadwi has been an associate professor in the Da`wah & Islamic Studies Department of the International Islamic University Chittagong. He has served as the chairman of the Allamah Faizullah Foundation, Darul Hikma Education Foundation, Chittagong International School (CIS), Arabian International Madrasah and Emirates Welfare & Educational Complex Trust. Nadwi is also the director of the Shariah Board of both Social Islami Bank and Union Bank, as well as a member of the Shariah Board of Agrani Bank. He was a member of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al Nahyan Trust Bangladesh and Islamic Arabic University's Syndicate. Nadwi is currently a member of the International League for Islamic Literature based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the vice-chairman of the executive committee of International Islamic Relief Organization's Bangladesh branch.^[5]

Nadwi contested as an Awami League candidate at the 2014 Bangladeshi general election, winning the seat for the Chittagong-15 constituency. He retained his seat for a second term at the 2018 Bangladeshi general election.^[6] Nadwi is a member of the Ministry of Religious Affairs's parliamentary standing committee and a governor of Islamic Foundation Bangladesh.^[5] Abu Reza Mohammad Nezamuddin Nadwi, a former member of parliament representing Chattogram-15 (Lohagara-Satkania) under the Awami League, was arrested by the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police in Dhaka’s Uttara area on December 15, 2024. The specific charges leading to his arrest have not been officially disclosed. 

Prior to his arrest, in August 2024, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) ordered all banks to freeze the accounts of Nadwi, his family members, and their associated businesses under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012. 

Additionally, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) initiated investigations into allegations of graft against 41 individuals who served as ministers, state ministers, and lawmakers of the Awami League between 2009 and 2024. While the ACC has not publicly specified the names under investigation, it is within the realm of possibility that Nadwi is among those being scrutinized, given the broader context of anti-corruption efforts during this period. 

Nadwi’s political career has been marked by controversy. Originally associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, he joined the Awami League in 2014 and was elected to parliament in both the 2014 and 2018 elections. However, in the 2024 national election, he was defeated by an independent candidate. He has faced multiple legal challenges, including allegations related to attacks on political opponents and misuse of his positions for personal gain. 

Given the ongoing nature of the investigations and legal proceedings, further details may emerge as authorities continue their inquiries.

Nezamuddin is married to Rizia Sultana Chowdhury, a member of the central committee of the Women's Awami League.^[7]

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