Islamic Foundation Bangladesh (Bengali: ইসলামিক ফাউন্ডেশন বাংলাদেশ) is a government 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.[2][3] 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.[3] The director general is the chief executive of the foundation.[3]
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.[2] In 1960, the Darul Ulum was renamed as Islamic Academy and was made a branch of Central Institute of Islamic Research based in Karachi.[2]
The current organization came into effect in 1974, when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formally inaugurated as the Islamic Foundation.[4]
On 20–22 March 1978, the foundation organized a seminar sponsored by the OIC and attended by representatives of 16 countries including Bangladesh.[2] In 1979–80, development of the foundation got a new momentum.[2]
Controversy
In 2015, Islamic Foundation Bangladesh issued a fatwa banning the use of chairs for elderly worshipers in mosques. The head of the foundation, Shamim Afzal told Agence France-Presse, "There are no instances of the Prophet praying while sitting on a chair," despite numerous hadiths contradicting this claim.[5] He added that "chairs spoiled the beauty of the mosques."[5]
Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Rajshahi Branch Office
This led to outrage and protest from more erudite ulema, who termed it "an incorrect and exaggerated decision."[5][6] The Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina issued a statement that she was "stunned" by such a fatwa, terming it incorrect. She added that she herself offered prayers in chairs during flights.[7]
