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Al-Markazul Islami

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Coordinates: 23°46′15″N 90°21′58″E / 23.7708137°N 90.3662191°E / 23.7708137; 90.3662191
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Al-Markazul Islami
আল-মারকাজুল ইসলামী
AbbreviationAMI
Formation1988; 37 years ago (1988)
FounderShahidul Islam
Founded atDhaka
TypeNonprofit, NGO
Legal statusCharitable organization
PurposeHumanitarian, Education
Headquarters21/17, Babar Road, Mohammodpur, Dhaka
Location
Coordinates23°46′15″N 90°21′58″E / 23.7708137°N 90.3662191°E / 23.7708137; 90.3662191
Origins1988 Bangladesh cyclone[1]
President
Hamza Shahidul Islam
General Secretary
Enamul Hasan
Director General (hospital)
Abdul Ahad Khan
SubsidiariesAl-Markazul Islami Hospital
AffiliationsDeobandi movement
Websiteamibd.org

Al-Markazul Islami (AMI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-political charitable organization based in Bangladesh. Established in 1988 by Shahidul Islam, the organization focuses on providing services to underprivileged communities, combining Islamic values with social welfare initiatives. Its activities include healthcare, education, access to clean water, religious programs, and humanitarian aid.[2] It was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic for playing a role in managing the burial of deceased individuals,[3][4] particularly in Dhaka, where it handled approximately 6,500 cases under authorization from the Directorate General of Health Services. It has collaborated with international bodies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to enhance its humanitarian efforts. In 2025, it was also involved in organizing a march for Gaza, advocating for Palestinian rights and condemning Israeli military actions.

History

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Al-Markazul Islami was founded in 1988 by Shahidul Islam along with several associates.[5] Initially, the organization was engaged in religious education, healthcare services, and ambulance operations.[6] In the early 1990s, it established its office in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. Currently, it owns properties on Babar Road and in Shyamoli, and manages various activities on approximately 160 bighas of land in Sirajnagar Union, Keraniganj Upazila.[6] It operates several Qawmi and women's madrasas and has participated in the establishment of numerous mosques and madrasas across Bangladesh. It has installed tube wells to ensure access to clean drinking water in remote areas and has provided free medical services to visually impaired individuals, as well as free surgical treatments for patients with cleft lips and palates.[6] Its affiliated institution, Al-Markazul Islami Hospital, is located in Mohammadpur.[7] The organization has been extending funeral services since 1993, and by 2021, had facilitated the burial of approximately 135,000 deceased individuals.[8] In August 2019, during the second anniversary of the Rohingya exodus from Myanmar, it supplied white T-shirts and vests to participants at a mass gathering in Madhurchhara Field, Kutupalong, Ukhiya, after which, on September 4, the Cox’s Bazar district administration prohibited its activities within the Rohingya camps.[9][10] In February 2023, in response to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, it dispatched 2,000 body bags for humanitarian assistance.[11] During the 2024 floods in Bangladesh, the organization launched free medical camps beginning on August 25, providing healthcare to approximately 13,000 individuals, and continued operations until September, distributing 55 metric tons of food, 15,000 units of 5-liter purified water bottles,[12] conducting rescue missions, and recovering bodies from flood-affected areas;[13][14] additionally, the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Feni arranged accommodation for its workers at the Shilpakala Academy.[15][16] It has also been recognized by Nagad Islamic as a Shariah-compliant platform for zakat donations.[17]

COVID-19 pandemic

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Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh in 2020, the Directorate General of Health Services sought assistance from Al-Markazul Islami for the burial of individuals who had died from or were suspected to have died from the virus.[18] The organization agreed to the request and formally initiated its funeral operations on March 29, 2020, by burying the body of a woman suspected to have died from COVID-19 in Khilgaon-Taltola, Dhaka.[19] Initially, it operated with a team of 17 workers, including three women, and four ambulances to manage the burial of deceased COVID-19 patients and suspected cases. As the situation worsened, an additional 22 ambulances were placed on reserve.[20][21] By January 2021, the organization had facilitated the burial of 3,205 individuals across the country, with the majority of cases occurring in Dhaka.[20] Among those buried were both Muslim and non-Muslim individuals.[22] In handling the deceased, the organization adhered to World Health Organization (WHO) protocols. It developed its own procedures aligned with WHO recommendations, which involved spraying the body with a solution made of 60% alcohol and 40% water, followed by thorough washing using a pumping machine to complete the ritual washing or ablution.[23] On January 27, 2021, to encourage public participation in the vaccination campaign, Hamza Islam, the acting chairman of Al-Markazul Islami, became the first ulama in Bangladesh to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.[24] By September 2021, Al-Markazul Islami had managed the shrouding and burial of more than 6,500 bodies in Dhaka City alone, including that of Anisuzzaman, Bangladesh's former National Professor.[25][26] In an effort to simplify the complex procedures surrounding the burial of COVID-19 victims, and to promote health safety and public awareness, Al-Markazul Islami, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized training sessions in 2020 across ten districts, including Dhaka, Sylhet, Khulna, Barisal, and Cox's Bazar. Additionally, in each area, a 10-member team was formed to handle the burials of individuals who died due to the virus.[25]

Standing with Palestine

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On October 7, 2024, Al-Markazul Islami organized a discussion program in Dhaka titled "Nusrat al-Aqsa" (Support for Al-Aqsa) to express solidarity with the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem; the event, held at the Engineers Institution Auditorium, featured participation from three non-Muslim speakers.[27] On April 12, 2025, the organization held the "March for Gaza," which drew approximately 100,000 participants protesting against Israeli military actions and expressing support for Hamas and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.[28] On April 16, 2025, it was reported that Al-Markazul Islami had launched an initiative to bring injured Palestinians to Bangladesh for free medical treatment and vocational training, with an initial plan to accommodate around 5,000 individuals wounded in Israeli military offensives, and preparations underway to receive the first group of 1,000 patients once the necessary facilities are ready.[29]

Donors

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Since its establishment, Al-Markazul Islami has gradually expanded its operations with financial support from religious individuals across the country, as well as donations from wealthy donors in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and other Middle Eastern countries.[9] On May 14, 2021, students from the 26th batch of the University of Chittagong donated personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety materials to the organization.[30] On June 5, the Salma-Adil Foundation (SAF) donated various essential items for the burial of individuals who had died from COVID-19.[31][32] On June 19, Grameen Telecom provided health protection supplies.[33][34] On August 16, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) donated burial garments and materials for 100 women and 100 men, along with a financial donation of BDT 300,000.[35] On August 29, Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) donated a freezer van to the organization.[36] Subsequently, on November 27, the Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) made a donation of BDT 1.0 million.[37] Additionally, on April 12, 2023, the BGMEA provided financial support and clothing to Markazul Fiqhil Islami to aid in the education of its students.[38]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Volunteers work relentlessly for burials during COVID-19 pandemic". The Financial Express. 19 April 2020.
  2. ^ Hannan (26 December 2021). "Al-Markazul Islami". Saudi-Bangladesh Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company Limited.
  3. ^ Amir, Tanzil (15 May 2020). "The Nation Will Never Forget Those Who Laid COVID Victims to Rest". Jugantor.
  4. ^ Mallick, Maruf (9 May 2020). "Bidyananda and Al-Markazul Islami". Desh Rupantor.
  5. ^ "Al-Markazul Islami founder Mufti Shahidul Islam buried". The Daily Observer. 27 January 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Moniruzzaman, H.M. (28 January 2023). "The Social Service Contributions of Markazul Islam". Desh Rupantor.
  7. ^ Daktarbhai. "Daktarbhai". daktarbhai.com. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Al-Markazul Islami Stands Out in Honoring the Deceased". Samakal. 2 August 2021.
  9. ^ a b Shakil, Salman Tarek (23 April 2020). "Mufti Shaheed's Organization Handles Corona Burial Duties". Bangla Tribune. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  10. ^ "2 NGOs banned for backing anti-Rohingya repatriation campaign". Dhaka Tribune. 4 September 2019.
  11. ^ "As-Sunnah Foundation and Al-Markazul Islami Extend Aid to Turkey's Victims". Dhaka Post. 11 February 2023.
  12. ^ "Al-Markazul Islami Delivers Healthcare and Medicine to 13,000 Flood Victims". Samakal. 16 September 2024.
  13. ^ Abir, Fazle Rabbi (1 September 2024). "Ulama Stand by Those Affected by Floods". Desh Rupantor.
  14. ^ "Al-Markazul Islami's Exceptional Support for Those Affected by Floods". Somoy TV. 29 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Al-Markazul Islami Recovers Flood Victims' Bodies from the Water". Samakal. 5 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Al-Markazul Islami Steps In to Recover Bodies from Floodwaters". Daily Inqilab. 7 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Nagad Islamic to ease Zakat donation". Dhaka Tribune. 16 April 2023.
  18. ^ Khusru, Ataur Rahman (26 April 2020). "The Fearless Role of Islamic Scholars in Burial Rites". Kaler Kantho. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  19. ^ Habib, Junaid (21 April 2020). "Those Carrying Out the Final Rites". Kaler Kantho.
  20. ^ a b Arif, Alauddin (24 January 2021). "Rare Effort in Honoring the Dead During COVID-19". Desh Rupantor.
  21. ^ Islam, Shamsul (22 May 2020). "Al-Markazul Islam in the service of humanity". Daily Inqilab.
  22. ^ "Over 4,000 Bodies Buried by Al-Markazul During Coronavirus Outbreak". Jagonews24.com. 23 April 2021.
  23. ^ "Al-Markazul Islami stands by people dying of coronavirus". Dhaka Tribune. 10 April 2020.
  24. ^ Amir, Tanzil (27 January 2021). "Mufti Hamza Islam Becomes the First Cleric to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine". Jugantor.
  25. ^ a b "Al-Markazul Islami Leads Final Rites for 6,500 COVID-19 Deceased". Daily Inqilab. 29 September 2021.
  26. ^ Kawser, Rumi (15 May 2020). "National Professor Anisuzzaman laid to rest". Dhaka Tribune.
  27. ^ "Dhaka Hosts Discussion Event in Support of Al-Aqsa Mosque". Prothom Alo. 8 October 2024.
  28. ^ Restelli, Sergio (13 April 2025). "Bangladesh is sliding down the path of extremism". The Times of Israel.
  29. ^ "Al-Markazul Islami plans to offer free treatment for injured Palestinians". New Age. 16 April 2025.
  30. ^ "Al Markazul Islami Receives Safety Equipment from CU's 26th Batch". Jagonews24.com. 14 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Salma-Adil Foundation Donates Equipment for Handling COVID-19 Bodies". Prothom Alo. 5 June 2020.
  32. ^ "Salma-Adil Foundation provides burial equipment to COVID-19 deceased". New Age. 5 June 2020.
  33. ^ "Grameen Telecom Provides Essential Safety Equipment to Al-Markazul and Ambulance Cooperative Society". The Daily Star. 19 June 2020.
  34. ^ "Grameen Telecom donates PPEs to Al Markazul Islami Bangladesh". Daily Sun. 20 June 2020.
  35. ^ "Al-Markazul Islami Receives Tk 3 Lakh Support from BGMEA". Janakantha. 16 August 2021.
  36. ^ "EBL donates two freezer vans". The Business Standard. 29 August 2021.
  37. ^ "LFMEAB donates Tk 1.0m to Al-Markazul Islami". The Financial Express. 27 November 2020.
  38. ^ "BGMEA donates money, clothes, foods to Markazul Fiqhil Islami". Daily Sun. 12 April 2023.

Further reading

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