Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain. Photo : Collected

DHAKA, July 9, 2025 (BSS) – Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain today underscored the importance of restoring the past glory of madrasa education, asserting that this specialized system must not be allowed to ruin in the name of ultra-modern reforms.

“Madrasa education is a unique and time-honored system. Its distinct identity must be preserved along with reviving its rich traditions,” he said while speaking as a chief guest at a seminar. 

Bangladesh Madrasa Chhatra Kalyan Parishad organized the seminar titled “Alia Madrasa Education System in Sustainable Development: Challenges and Ways Forward" at the IDEB auditorium here in the capital, said a press release. 

He said the Alia Madrasa education system has been making significant contributions to the practice of Islamic knowledge, development of values ??and spread of Islamic thought in the entire Indian subcontinent for ages. Despite certain shortcomings and deviations, its contributions remain substantial, he observed.

“From the founding of Kolkata Alia Madrasa to the establishment of the Deoband Madrasa, scholars and ulamas educated under the Alia system illuminated the intellectual landscape of the region for 86 years. Even today, many graduates of Alia Madrasas continue to make meaningful contributions at various levels of the society,” he said, requesting everyone to come out of the feeling of inferiority.

The religious affairs adviser said the movement should be continued against those who want to suppress the madrasa education system. 

He cautioned that everyone must remain vigilant to prevent the resurgence of fascism, and encouraged madrasa students to stay hopeful and not lose heart.

Emphasizing the significance of madrasa education, Dr. Khalid said the system had been marginalized over the past sixteen years. While the National University showed a positive stance toward introducing honors courses in general subjects, it adopted a dismissive approach toward disciplines such as Islamic Studies, Arabic Literature, and Islamic History, he said.

“However, steps are now being taken to revitalize and strengthen the madrasa education system,” he added.

With Bangladesh Madrasa Student Welfare Council Adviser Maulana Zainul Abedin in the chair, key discussant in this seminar was Professor Dr. Md. Shamsul Alam, Vice Chancellor of Islamic Arabic University. 

Dr. Mohammad Hedayet Ullah, Curriculum Expert of Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board, made keynote presentation. Professor Dr. Ahmed Ali, Department of Islamic Studies, Chittagong University, Professor Md. Aliullah, Dean at Islamic Arabic University, and Zahidul Islam, President of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, among others, also spoke.

More than a hundred Islamic scholars, ulamas and madrasa students participated in this seminar.