See: Fazlul Huq

(1929 – 2016)

Abdul Gafur Hali (also known by his Sufi name, Gafur Hali Maizbhanderi), a Bangladeshi folk lyricist, composer and singer who became influenced by the Maizbhanderi Sufi Singers, such as Moulana Bazlul Karim Kanchanpuri, Moulana Abdul Hadi, and Ramesh Shil … Read more

See: Nawab Abdul Latif

(1908 – 1969)

Abdul Moudud who in addition to his routine preoccupations as high executive and judicial officer in Government, strived to maintain and actively peruse his interest in scholarly studies. His special field was cultural and social history of Bengal and Muslim intellectual history ... Read more 

(1877 – 1935)

Allama Sir Abdullah al-Ma’mun Suhrawardy, one of the most brilliant Muslim scholars of his generation, was one of the first students to obtain a PhD from Calcutta University, he was an outstanding Islamic scholar, skilled linguist, eminent academic, influential politician and also a prolific writer ... Read more

See: Maulana Abdullahi Kafi

(1867 - 1952)

Sir Abdur Rahim,  renowned for his clear thinking, intellectual abilities and political leadership, was  a contemporary of eminent Muslim leaders of Bengal, an eminent jurist, an outstanding Muslim scholar and an influential Muslim leader who endeavoured to preserve and promote the interests of the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent in general and that of Bengal in particular ... Read more

(1925 – 1984)

Dr Aftab Aahmad Rahmani, a man of profound knowledge and  a torch-bearer of the wisdom of the Prophet Muhammad, was one of the world’s leading authorities on the life and works of Ibn Hajar al- Asqalani, a medieval Islamic scholar whose life work constitutes the final summation of the science of Hadith ... Read more

(1920 – 2009)

Professor Dr Ahmad Hasan Dani, arguably the most prominent historian and archaeologist to have emerged from the Indian subcontinent during the twentieth century, was a pioneering researcher, prolific writer and an outstanding linguist ... Read more

See Khwaja Ahsanullah

(d. 1357)

Usman Serajuddin, known affectionately by followers as Akhi Siraj Aainae Hind (to imply Mirror of India), was a 14th-century Bengali Sufi saint of the Chishti mystic tradition and one of the first disciples of Nizamuddin Auliya. His successor Alaul Haq Pandavi is credited with the rise to prominence of the Chishti order in Bengal ... Read more

 

Alaul Haq Pandavi, a 13th century Sufi saint of Bengal belonging to the Chisti spiritual order, was a disciple of another prominent Chishti Sufi of Bengal, Akhi Siraj Aainae Hind, who in turn was one of the first disciples of Nizamuddin Auliya.  His disciples included his son Noor Qutbe Alam Pandavi and the Sufi saint Ashraf Jahangir Semnani, founder of the Ashrafi Sufi Order … Read more

See: Syed Ameer Ali

(15th Century)

Baba Adam Shahid, a 15th-century Muslim figure arrived in Bengal in 1119,  whose name is associated with a holy war against an unjust ruler of Vikrampura now in the Munshiganj district of Bangladesh. The Raja killed Adam while he retreated to perform his Asr prayer, thus Adam was martyred … Read more

See: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

(1880 – 1932)

Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, commonly known as Begum Rokeya, a Bengali feminist thinker, writer, educator and political activist in British India, was widely considered as a pioneer of women’s liberation in South Asia. She held education to be the central precondition of women's liberation, establishing the first school aimed primarily at Muslim girls in Kolkata ... Read more

See: Syed Delawar Husaein

(1854 – 1922)

Dewan Hason Raja Chowdhury, simply known as Hason Raja, was a mystic poet and songwriter from Sylhet, in now Bangladesh ... Read more

(1819–1862)

Dudu Miyan, led the Faraizi movement after the death of his father and the founder, Haji Shariatullah, and is was under his leadership that the Faraizi movement assumed agrarian character. He organised the uprising of the peasant class and played an active role in the Indian rebellion against the British in 1857 for independence … Read more

(1938- 2003)

Professor Enayetur Rahim, a specialist on the modern history of Bengal and author of a number of books, taught Islamic history and culture at the University of Rajshahi Bangladesh, and also taught at various universities in USA. He joined the Department of Bengal Studies at Georgetown University, where he worked until his death ... Read more

(1834 - 1903)

Nawab Begum Faizunnesa Choudhurani, most famous for her campaign for female education and other social issues, was awarded her title of "Nawab” in1889 Queen Victoria, making her the first female Nawab in South Asia ... Read more

 

 

(d. 1817.1819)

Ghulam Husain Salim, a historian who worked as a postmaster to the British East India Company, pursued the study of histories and travels, turned his mind towards seeking a knowledge of the lives and careers of past sovereigns and rulers over Bengal; he also composed a history of Bengal entitled Riyaz al-Salatin ...Read more

(1732 - 1812)

Haji Muhammad Mohsin was and remains one of the greatest Muslim philanthropists of Bengal ... Read more

(1781–1840)

Haji Shariatullah, an influential Islamic scholar and revivalist of Bengal, was a Bengali Islamic reformer of the Indian sub-continent in British India, is known for leading the Faraizi movement, to guide Bengali Muslims to give up un-Islamic practices and act upon their duties according to the true path of Islam. Faraizi is derived from 'farz' meaning obligatory duties enjoined by Allah … Read more

(1886 – 1951)

Hazrat Khwaja Yunus Ali, one of the most influential Sufis in Bangladesh, also known as Khwaja Enayetpuri after his birthplace of Enayetpur in Bangladesh, was a Sufi saint and  considered the founder of the Mujaddediya Sufi order in Bangladesh. He developed a tripartite teaching method, "by writing", "by lecture" and "by khanqah” (for Sufi gatherings and place of spiritual retreat) … Read more

(1800 - 1873)

Karamat Ali Janupuri, a religious and a social reformer, strove to restore pure Islamic values among Bengal Muslims. His famous opinion was that India under the British could not be  Dar-ul-Harb or abode of war, and though it could not be a Dar-ul-Harb, India was at least a Dar-ul-Aman (abode of security) where Muslims were not restricted from practicing their religion … Read more

(1927- 2011)

Professor Kazi Din Muhammad, an outstanding scholar of Bengali language and literature, was also a prolific writer who authored numerous books on a range of subjects and his most famous publication was Bangla Sahityer Itihas (A History of Bengali Literature) ... Read more

(1899 – 1942)

Kazi Nazrul Islam, known as the Rebel Poet, began writing as a young boy and was deeply attracted to the traditions of bardic and folk poetry of rural Bengal; he studied classical Persian poets like Hafiz and Rumi that reflected in his use of a Persian Arabic vocabulary. The Khilafat Agitation made in released the need for a Hindu - Muslim brotherhood to rise against the British ... Read more

(1375 - 1459)

Khan Jahan Ali, also known by the name "Ulugh Khan", suggesting his Turkic origin, and considered a Muslim Saint, founded numerous caravanserais, constructing hundreds of mosques as well as madrasahs;  his humanitarian work such as establishment of dighis for clean water was a number of reasons why the local Hindus  were said to be attracted to Islam … Read more

(1846 - 1901)

Nawab Sir Khwaja Ahsanullah,  the third Nawab of Dhaka and a noted philanthropist, donated generously to various charitable projects and extended financial support to creating an Engineering College in Dhaka. He was also an ardent advocate for Muslims ... Read more

(1871 - 1915)

Nawab Sir Khwaja Salimullah Khan Bahadur, the fourth Nawab of Dhaka and one of the leading Muslim politicians during the British Raj,  was one of the founders of the University of Dhaka and the prestigious Ahsanullah School of Engineering (now the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology) ... Read more

 

(D. 2001)

Maulana Hasmatullah Faridpuri,  the pir (saint) of Atroshi in Faridpur district, was a Sufi teacher whose disciplines  advanced the Atroshi tariqa by bringing in more recruits and focusing on developing buildings and institutions. He was a student of Hazrat Khwaja Yunus Ali, one of the most influential Sufis in Bangladesh … Read more

(1863 - 1943)

Maulvi Abdul Karim, an educationist and writer, who tried to spread education among the educationally backward Muslims of Bengal and highlighted the causes of Muslim backwardness, also helped reform Madrasah education by introducing the New Scheme which aimed at imparting modern education alongside religious instruction ... Read more

(1889 – 1987)

Maulvi Shamsuddin Ahmed, a great Muslim epigraphist (the study of inscriptions) and numismatist (study of coins) and scholar of Bengal, is known for his pioneering research and writing on epigraphy that inspired many other prominent scholars of modern times ... Read more

(1900 – 1960)

Mawlana Abdullahil Kafi (also spelt Abdullah Hel Kafi), one of the great Islamic scholars of the Dinajpur district now in Bangladesh and author of Nubuwwat-e- Muhammadi (The Prophethood of Muhammad) and Ahl-e-Hadis Parichiti (An Introduction to Ahl-e Hadis), propagated the Hadith movement and created the All Party Islami Front … Read more

(1925 - 2009)

Mehrab Ali,  a local historian, amateur archaeologist and prolific writer, claimed to have published forty books and booklets which may attest to the fact that he was not only a prominent local historian but also a man of considerable learning and culture. His most famous book was on the Christian Baptist Missionary, William Carey, who was known not only for his linguistic work but also for inventing a Bengali typeface for printing purposes ... Read more

(1847 - 1912)

Syed Mir Mosharraf Hussain, a writer, novelist, playwright and essayist, is considered to be the first major Bengali writer to emerge from the Muslim society of Bengal, and one of the finest prose writers in the Bengali language. His important works include Bishad Sindhu (Ocean of Sorrow) depicted the tale of martyrdom of Hasan and Husayn in Karbala ... Read more

(1921- 1997)

Professor Mohammad Gholam Rasul (also spelled as Rasool), a most prolific writer on Islamic history and culture, was also a translator of academic books from English into Bengali. He had a serious interest in the philosophy of history and published two books, The Origin and Development of Muslim Historiography and Muslim Itihas Charcha (Muslim Historiography) in Bengali; historiography is the study of how history is written and how our historical understanding changes over time ... Read more

See: Muhammad Mohar Ali

(1921- 2006)

Mufakhkharul Islam (also known as Islam Sahib),  a poet who wrote Bengali poems on Islamic themes and erudite essays on Bengali literature,  was a brilliant thinker who advocated the use of Arabic and Persian words, which are an inseparable part of the Bengal’s Islamic literary heritage ... Read more

(1929 – 2003)

Professor Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, a prominent Muslim educationalist and an inspirational Professor of Islamic History and Culture at the University of Rajshahi in Bangladesh, had also been the leader of the reformist Jam’iyyat Ahl -I Hadith movement in East and North Bengal since 1960 … Read more

(1888- 1942)

Mawlana Abul Fadl Muhammad Manir al-din Anwari, a preacher of Islam (wa'iz), a writer, editor of the weekly journal Ahl-e Hadis, a commentator of the Qur'an, a political activist and a freedom-fighter for the independence of Bangladesh, became well-known as editor of a weekly newspaper, Ahl-e Hadis, which was dedicated to Islamic revivalism and reformism … Read more

(1929 – 2007)

Professor Muhammad Mohar Ali, a specialist in Islamic history – in particular the history of Bengal. His book, History of the Muslims of Bengal, is considered an important reference in the history of the propagation of Islam in the region and its cultural and political effects … Read more

See: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

See: Mir Musharraf Hussain

(1823 - 1893)

Nawab Bahadur Abdul Latif, commonly known as Nawab Abdul Latif, founded the Mohammedan Literary Society in Kolkata that gave a remarkable impetus to the cause of Muslim advancement throughout India; it was the precursor of similar institutions in other parts of India. His achievements include working to turn Hindu College into Presidency College and thus opening it for non-Hindus, establishment of modern madrasahs in Dhaka, Chattagram and Rajshahi ... Read more

(1926 - 2009)

Dr. Nazimuddin Ahmed, an eminent archaeologist in Bangladesh, authored a number of books and papers on the subject in local and foreign journals. His important work was published in a book on “Islamic Heritage of Bangladesh; Discover the Monuments of Bangladesh and Buildings of the British Raj in Bangladesh” ... Read more

See: Kazi Nazrul Islam

(D. 1415)

Noor Qutbe Alam Pandavi commonly known as Noor Qutb Alam, the son of Alaul Haq, was a 15th century Sufi saint of Bengal belonging to the Chisti spiritual order. He was considered the saviour of the Muslims of Bengal from the oppression of Raja Ganesha whose son was converted to Islam. The boy was named Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah and Ganesha abdicated in his son’s favour ... Read more

See: Noor Qutb Alam

See: Begum Rokeya

(1936 – 1986)

Professor Saifuddin Joarder, an authority on the history of modern Middle East with access to, and understanding of other branches of historical studies, had a strong sociological background, and hence he laid much stress on social and economic factors in explaining the trends of particular events of history ... Read more

(1848 – 1968)

Salekur Rahman Rahe Bhanderi, a Sufi Saint and the founder of the Rahe Bhander Sufi Order spread across Bangladesh, Myanmar. India and some other parts of the world, ordained to his followers that, it is your duty to develop own-self and that experience will lead you towards your inner journey of Soul and its ultimate achievement is the spiritual liberty … Read more

(1928 – 1988)

Sayed Ziaul Haq, a Sufi saint of the Maizbhanderi Sufi order established in Chattagram, Bangladesh, used to travel over days across hills, forest, seaside and different places sleeplessly without any pre-arrangement. He succeeded the spiritual chain/Shajrah of his Sufi master as well as father, Sayed Ahmed Ullah Maizbhanderi … Read more

(1902 - 2005)

Professor Dr Serajul Haque, one of the foremost Arabic scholars with an interest in the lives and thoughts of prominent Islamic scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah, who has become one of the most influential medieval writers in contemporary Islam ... Read more

(1271 - 1347)

Shaykh al-Mashaʾikh Makhdūm Shaykh Jalal Mujarrad bin Muḥammad Kunyai (popularly known as Shah Jalal, a celebrated Sufi Muslim figure in Bengal, whose name is often associated with the conquest of Sylhet now in Bangladesh, and the spread of Islam into the region. He is said to have been educated in Makkah and excelled in his studies becoming a hafiz and mastered fiqh ... Read more

(d. 1075 CE)

Shah Sultan Qamar ad-Din Rumi, an 11th century Sufi Muslim figure who in scholarly tradition, is believed to have been the first Sufi who visited and settled in Bengal. His name is associated with the spread of Islam into modern Netrokona in the district of Mymensingh in 1025, an area which had no Muslim population and was ruled by a Koch king called Ganesh … Read more

(1892 – 1963)

Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, known as Shahid Suhrawardy, politician and a lawyer, had become a living legend because of his astonishing linguistic attainments and scholarly achievements. He was one of those rare men who broke the barriers of language and custom with ease ... Read more 

See: Maulvi Shamsuddin Ahmed

See: Haji Shariatullah

(1920 - 1975)

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, shortened as Sheikh Mujib, affectionately called "Bangabandhu" (Friend of Bengal for his devotion to his countrymen), a politician and statesman, founded Bangladesh for the emancipation of Bengali Muslims in East Pakistan that earned him the title "Father of the Nation". He started his political life as a student and was actively involved in the movement for the creation of Pakistan as a separate homeland for Muslims in the Indian subcontinent ... Read more

(1607 - 1680)

Syed Alaol, considered one of the most prolific medieval Bengali poets, drew upon his deep engagement with Sufism combine emotion with intellect reflected in most of his poems;  he is called the Pandit Kabi (Pandit of Poets) of medieval Bengali literature; most of his works are adaptations of works in other languages ... Read more

(1826 – 1906)

Syed Ahmad Ullah (or Syed Ahmad Ullah Maizbhandari), considered a Bangladeshi Sufi saint, was the founder of the Maizbhandari Sufi Order based in Chattagram district, the first such order to originate in Bangladesh. It reportedly has over 10 million followers. The order is known for its gatherings for spiritual listening and devotional music, which are important in Bengali Sufi traditions … Read more

(1925 - 1998)

Professor Syed Ali Ashraf, an Islamic scholar and academic, became Director-General, World Centre for Islamic Education at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 1980 and was the founder and director-general of Islamic Academy, Cambridge. He was also the founder vice-chancellor of Darul Ihsan University in Dhaka, Bangladesh … Read more

(1849 - 1928)

Rt. Hon. Sir Syed Ameer Ali, a leader and representative of Indian Muslims, left a lasting imprint on the political history of modern India. He was also a Muslim jurist, an interpreter of Islamic history and beliefs, he was a recognized authority, an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity. He was the founder of the National Mohamedan Association in Kolkata ... Read more

(1893 – 1992)

Sayed Delaor Husaein, a Sufi Saint and a author of Maizbhanderi Sufi Order, whose works represented the thought and rituals of this Sufi order in an academic approach through the movement promoting music based religious pluralism … Read more

(1889 – 2001)

Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri, a Sufi  saint, author, scholar of Hadith and the Holy Qur’an, and Muslim missionary in Bangladesh, travelled widely in North India and lived for a while inside the Sundarbans forest, seeking solitude. As a Sufi master he was initiated in various Sufi orders and his teachings stated that Islam was a unified whole of Shariat, Tariqat, Haqiqat and Marefat … Read more

(1920 – 1995)

Professor Dr Syed Sajjad Husain, one of the leading Muslim scholars, writers and academics to have hailed from Bengal during the twentieth century, was a man of principles, commitment and unshakeable faith in Islamic unity and solidarity ... Read more

(1834 - 1885)

Mawlana Ubaidullah Suhrawardy, a follower of Nawab Abdul Latif of Calcutta and Syed Ahmed Khan of Aligarh, was affiliated with the Mohammedan Literary Society founded by Nawab Abdul Latif, Central National Mohammedan Association founded by Sir Syed Ameer Ali, Bengal Social Science Association and other organisations in Kolkata ... Read more

See: Hazrat Yunus Ali