Dr AFM Khalid Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, said that Haji Shariatullah was the first freedom fighter of Bangla and the Indian subcontinent.
“During the era of Haji Shariatullah, the British subjected farmers to severe oppression. They forcibly made them cultivate indigo and then purchased it at unfairly low prices, depriving them of proper wages. In response to this tyranny, Haji Mohammad Shariatullah initiated the Faraizi Movement, leading a significant anti-British struggle. He was the first freedom fighter of Bengal and the Indian subcontinent", he said.
He made the comments as the chief guest at the 80th Faraizi Movement Waz Mahfil at Bahadurpur Madrasa, held at Haji Shariatullah’s establishment in Shibchar, Madaripur, at 11am on Friday.
Recalling Haji Shariatullah’s contributions, the religious adviser further said: “The widespread practice of wearing skullcaps, keeping beards, and the growing devotion towards prayer and fasting in today’s Bangladesh can be attributed to the contributions of Haji Shariatullah and other spiritual leaders. However, people have forgotten that history. It is now imperative for us to revive it.”
He also said: “The Faraizi Movement will receive registration as a political party. I will personally discuss this matter with the Election Commission. If various other parties, including small and lesser-known ones, can obtain registration, then why not the Faraizi Movement?"
He urged that differences should be set aside and all Muslims should be embraced with open hearts.
Dr Khalid Hossain further said: “In the past, questions such as ‘Describe the contributions of Haji Shariatullah’ or ‘Express your opinion on the Faraizi Movement’ were commonly included in Honors and Master’s examinations. Unfortunately, due to various reasons, such topics have been excluded from syllabuses."
He expressed hope that in the future, the new curricula would include the Faraizi Movement, the biography of Haji Shariatullah (Rahmatullah Alaih) and their timeless contributions.