Sufism under attack in Mohammad Yunus-led Bangladesh

Sufism and shrines have been the target of a rising tide of fundamentalism in Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina government from power. Islamist parties, including Hizbut Tahrir and Jamaat-e-Islami, have allegedly destroyed over 100 Sufi shrines across Bangladesh since Mohammad Yunus-led interim government was anointed to power last year.

As of now, only 20 arrests have been made by the regime for attacking Sufi shrines. Bangladesh has 12,000 mazars and about 17,000 shrines dedicated to Sufi spiritual guides.

Although Sufi community in Bangladesh has a large number of followers and supporters but due its non-violent nature, they have faced the ire of hardliners and radicals. Jamaat-e-Islami and Hizbut for long have also opposed Sufism. "Islamists are threatening Sufi shrines all over Bangladesh, saying that singing and dancing are un-Islamic," said Hasan Shah Sureshwari Dipu Nuri, leader of Sufi group, Global Sufi Organisation.


The Global Sufi Organisation said it represents 5,000 shrines, darbar sharifs, and their followers across Bangladesh, adding that any attacks on Sufi followers and their establishments will be met with strong resistance. The initial attack on Sufi shrines was reported on August 5 and 6, 2024, immediately after Hasina's ouster. On September 6, an unruly crowd comprising students, hardliners and local mosque imams along with locals stormed the premises of Hazrat Shah Poran Shrine in Sylhet after Friday prayers.

Following the incident, a well-known Jamat-e-Islam page 'Basharkella' on Facebook had welcomed the protest and called for attacks and more protests against Sufi shrines and Khanqahs (Sufi places of prayers) throughout the country. The attacks on Sufi shrines increased sharply after the post, sources recalled.