Maulana Mizanur Rahman Azhari, an Islamic scholar and orator, has gained popularity over the years for his interpretations of the Quran and Hadith.
Born on January 26, 1990, in Demra, Dhaka, Azhari’s scholarly journey started at his local madrasa and took him to institutions like Al Azhar University in Egypt and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
Azhari’s pursuit of knowledge began at Darunnajat Siddiquia Kamil Madrasa, where he graduated with top honours.
His academic performance earned him a scholarship to study at Al Azhar University, where he completed his undergraduate degree in Tafsir and Quranic Sciences in 2012.
Following this, he continued his academic journey at IIUM, earning a master’s degree in Quran and Sunnah Studies, and later pursuing both an MPhil and a PhD focusing on “ Human Embryology in the Holy Quran” and “Human Behavioral Characteristics in the Holy Quran.”
Presence
Maulana Azhari has the ability to blend traditional Islamic knowledge with contemporary issues, making his Tafseer sessions accessible to a wide audience, particularly the youth.
Fluent in Bangla, Arabic, and English, his lectures often resonate with audiences in Bangladesh and beyond.
His Tafseer Mahfils, which often draw large crowds, emphasize moral integrity and personal development through the teachings of the Quran.
His presence on social media platforms like Facebook amplifies his message, though he notably refrains from having a personal YouTube channel.
Tensions with Awami League regime
Azhari’s conflict with the Awami League government stems from his influence among Bangladesh’s youth, a segment of society the former ruling party sees as crucial to its political base.
Over the past few years, Azhari’s religious speeches and Tafseer Mahfils have attracted large crowds, especially from conservative and rural communities, which has reportedly made the Awami League wary of his influence.
The erstwhile government has accused him of spreading what they term “extremist ideologies” and being sympathetic toward Islamist political groups, particularly the Jamaat-e-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam.
Although Azhari has repeatedly denied any formal association with these groups, his sermons, which often critiqued the administration’s policies on secularism, education, and governance, have been interpreted by some as aligning with Islamist perspectives.
In response to his popularity, several of his public events were cancelled by the authorities.
In January 2020, the government cancelled a number of his planned Tafseer programs, citing concerns over law and order.
His speeches have also been scrutinized by pro-government media outlets, which accused him of sowing discord and promoting divisive ideologies under the guise of religious sermons.
Exile and absence
In light of growing political pressure and the cancellation of his events, Maulana Azhari left Bangladesh in early 2020, relocating to Malaysia, where he continued his academic research for his PhD.
After his departure, he maintained a low profile in Bangladesh’s public sphere, focusing instead on his studies at IIUM.
Though he still participated in online lectures and discussions, his direct engagement with the Bangladeshi public was diminished.
While the erstwhile Awami League government remained critical of Azhari, he enjoyed strong support from conservative sections of Bangladeshi society, as well as Islamist political groups who see him as a voice of Islamic revivalism.
Azhari returned to Bangladesh on October 2.
He announced his return through a post on his verified Facebook page. In the post, he wrote: “Alhamdulillah, I have arrived safely in my beloved motherland. May the most merciful bless this return. Offering prayers.”
Earlier, on August 6, Maulana Azhari had announced in a Facebook Live session that he would be returning to the country soon.
During the live session, he said: “Many people have messaged and called me, asking when I would return to the country. I want to let them know that I will be home soon. I, too, am eagerly waiting to meet all of you. I look forward to reuniting with you in Bangladesh, a country built on the principles of humanity and equality.”
He left for Malaysia in February 2020. At the time, he explained in a Facebook post that he was leaving due to “environmental reasons and research” and would remain in Malaysia until March, with all his programs (mahfils) paused during that period.
