Politics has been woven into Waaz Mehfils from the very beginning although the goal of these gatherings is to call people to the path of religion.
While many of the speakers became active in politics after retiring, the scenario is a little different with Qawmi Madrasa scholars. In most cases these scholars head a political party as well as regularly address mehfils.
Political parties with religious ideals, meanwhile, use Waaz Mehfils as ground for campaign. In fact in the last decade or so, ruling party activists and members of administration make appearances in these gatherings. Ministers, lawmakers or local leaders often grace the “chief guest’s seat” at these events.
Scholars view the presence of those in power at religious gatherings as a “positive social effect.”
Islami Oikyajote Chairman Abdul Latif Nizami told Bangla Tribune that in a way it was a positive sign that those in politics and in the administrations attend these gatherings.
“Up until 12 to 13 years ago, the national dailies didn’t have any Islamic section but now they do. The scholars can express themselves there,” he said.
He added that there have been changes in the social scenario as well given that now those who are well off send their children to madrasas when a few years ago it was only the children of impoverished families used attend.
Political analysts say that during the 1947 Partition the Islamic scholars divided up into two parts as well.
While the Indian Deobandi followers were anti-partition the other scholars saw it as an opportunity to establish Pakistan as an “Islamic State”. The political stance of these predecessors had a significant influence on the Waaz Mehfils.
Dhaka University Social Science Department’s Professor Dr Nehal Karim says that although these mehfils were popular well before 1971, they “spread widely after Ziaur Rahman took power.”
Almost all activists of religious parties preach at these religious gatherings. Amongst them Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan are the ones that are very closely affiliated with Waaz Mehfils.
As a matter of fact two top ranking leaders of Islami Andolan take part in these mehfils everyday and convicted war criminal Mowlana Delwar Hossain Syedi became a Jamaat top brass after gaining popularity by speaking at these gatherings.
Several religious political party members and scholars said that among the most notable speakers with political affiliations are: Khelafat-e-Majlish central leader Mowlana Mamunul Hoque and Mowlana Jobayer Ahmed Ansari, Islami Oikya Jote leader Mowlana Sajidur Rahman and Mowlana Shakawat Hossain, Islami Andolan Amir Mowlana Syed Rezaul Karim and Nayeb Amir Syed Faizul Karim, Jamiatul Ulema Mowlana Yhaya Mahmud, Jamiyate Ulemaye Islam Nayeb Amir Mowlana Junayed Al Habib, and Jamiyat Mowlana Khaled Saifullah Chowdhury Ayubi.
In addition to that Mowlana Hafizur Rahman Siddiqui, Mowlana Sirajul Islam Siraji and Mowlana Abdul as Saberi are well known as pro-Islami Andolan speakers.
Islamist party, Islami Andolan was formed by the pro-Chormonais and the party’s affiliate oragnisation Mujahid Committee arranges Waaz Mehfils throughout the year.
On how the committee’s mehfils influence the number of activists and supporters of the party Islami Andolan Joint Secretary General Gazi Ataur Rahman said that the committee’s sole purpose is to invite people to the path of religion and that there is no politics involved there.
“Our Amir and Nayeb-e-Amir regularly conduct mehfils,” he said and added that many involved in the committee do act as supporters of the organisation.
Meanwhile, Jamaat activists say that among popular speakers who uphold and preach their ideals are Mowlana Kamal Uddin Jafri, Mowlana Tarek Monowar, Mowlana Abdullah Al Mamun, Mowlana Amir Hamza, Mowlana Mizanur Rahman Azhari and Mowlana Nazim Pramukh.
These speakers, often in their sermons, bring up Sayedi who is serving time for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of 1971.
International Crime Tribunal Prosecutor Turin Afroze says that the things said in these mehfils provoke “extremism.”
“The Jamaat faction speakers are mainly spreading the extremist views of the party. It mustn’t be forgotten that their party leaders have been tried for the despicable role they played in 1971.”
Jamaat’s Feni unit Amir AKM Shamsuddin thinks that given Syedi’s position in the party, the Waaz Mehfils have been largely influenced by him.
“But those who are involved with waaz are not and part of the party organization,” he claimed.
Jamaat activist say that the party halted all its “political activities” since January and started focusing on social work. They are of the view that involving party activists in Waaz Mehfils not only keeps them busy but helps to develop an audience.
Many mazar-centred followers are also directly involved with politics and even if they’re not affiliated with Waaz Mehfils while there are many who are apolitical.
In the mazar-centred sect Chattogram’s Maizbhandari Darbar Sharif has two factions of followers.
Political parties Bangladesh Tariqat Foundation is led by Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary, Supreme Party by Saifuddin Al Hasani. Tariqat Federation’s Secretary General Rezaul Hoque also heads a khanka at Mirpur.
Then there are Bishwa Jaker Manjil’s Jaker party, Dewanbag Sharif and darbars like Atrshi darbars that don’t have any political parties.
Bangladesh Tariqat Federation Chairman Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary told Bangla Tribune that they basically follow the ideals of Sufism.
“We maintain proper respect to the Constitution of Bangladesh. Our political party Tariqat foundation works without any discrimination in terms of religion or race,” he said.
He added that despite being mazar centred, their work involves people of all religion and they never “capitalise on Waaz Mehfils for politics.”
“The religion was made for people, people weren’t made for religion,” he said and anyone in the country is free to pursue politics and these mehfils and what faith they adopt should be left to them.
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