Wednesday, 22 January, 2025
A Milad Mahfil, Dua, and Sama Qawwali programme at the shrine of Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA) in the heart of Mymensingh city was violently disrupted by an attack involving hundreds of madrasa students. Later that night, a section of the 200-year-old shrine was demolished.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday night, sparked widespread condemnation and protests from political leaders, cultural activists, and residents of the city.
Witnesses reported that around 11 pm, hundreds of students from the nearby Jamia Faizur Rahman (RA) Momenshahi Boro Masjid Madrasa stormed the Sama Qawwali programme in the city’s Thana Ghat area. The artists narrowly escaped harm, while the students vandalised the stage, canopy, and furniture. Some individuals attempting to intervene sustained injuries.
Police intervened to control the situation, halting the music programme. However, around 3 am, the madrasa students returned to attack again, vandalising and setting fire to parts of the shrine.
On Thursday, devotees and supporters gathered at the site, expressing their anger and frustration over the attack, which took place near the police station.
Pir Baba Khalilur Rahman Chishti Nizami of the shrine recounted, “On Wednesday, a Milad was held after Maghrib prayers to commemorate the 179th Urs of Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA). Following the Milad, a Sama Qawwali was organised in a tent near the police station gate, attracting many devotees and supporters.
“Around 11 pm, the OC arrived and abruptly asked us to stop the event. Moments later, hundreds of madrasa students arrived, destroyed everything, and left. Around 3 am, they returned, launching another attack, vandalising the shrine, and setting it on fire.”
Khalilur added, “We have not faced such an incident in 150 years. If they had simply asked us to stop, we would have complied. Now, we demand justice for this act of violence.”
Alam Chishti, the organiser of the shrine’s festival, said, “We have been hosting Sama Qawwali events for years. When the OC asked us to stop, we complied immediately. Why, then, were we attacked, vandalised, and looted?
“The saints of Allah have always promoted faith and religion. We have done nothing against Islam. Why, then, were we subjected to such aggression?”
Baul Mizan Baula, a long-time performer at the annual festival, expressed shock, saying he had never encountered such hostility before.
Responding to the incident, Shahidul Islam, principal of Jamia Faizur Rahman (RA) Momenshahi Boro Masjid Madrasa, stated, “The students were preparing for exams and found the loud music and dancing near the police station gate unacceptable. Some students went to stop it, but when they returned, a few were reportedly beaten and threatened by locals. In anger, they vandalised the shrine. I only learned about the incident this morning and am working to ensure students do not engage in such actions in the future.”
Kotwali Model Police Station OC Shafiqul Islam Khan said, “No formal complaints have been filed so far. We are investigating the matter.”
The attack and vandalism have sparked significant outrage on social media. Many have condemned the incident and called for justice.
Young poet Shamim Ashraf live-streamed the attack on Facebook, stating, “This is unacceptable in a city known for its art and culture. Everyone should have the freedom to follow their ideology, but violence and vandalism are never the answer.”
Abul Kalam Al Azad, coordinator of the Brahmaputra Protection Movement, remarked, “We have been vocal about the issue on social media since last night. It was wrong to vandalise the shrine after attacking and disrupting the event. Such actions are inhumane and create social unrest, which is never desirable.”
District Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Abdul Karim also condemned the incident, saying, “The attack is highly deplorable. We do not want a repetition of such incidents in Mymensingh city.”
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A Milad Mahfil, Dua, and Sama Qawwali programme at the shrine of Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA) in the heart of Mymensingh city was violently disrupted by an attack involving hundreds of madrasa students. Later that night, a section of the 200-year-old shrine was demolished.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday night, sparked widespread condemnation and protests from political leaders, cultural activists, and residents of the city.
Witnesses reported that around 11 pm, hundreds of students from the nearby Jamia Faizur Rahman (RA) Momenshahi Boro Masjid Madrasa stormed the Sama Qawwali programme in the city’s Thana Ghat area. The artists narrowly escaped harm, while the students vandalised the stage, canopy, and furniture. Some individuals attempting to intervene sustained injuries.
Police intervened to control the situation, halting the music programme. However, around 3 am, the madrasa students returned to attack again, vandalising and setting fire to parts of the shrine.
On Thursday, devotees and supporters gathered at the site, expressing their anger and frustration over the attack, which took place near the police station.
Pir Baba Khalilur Rahman Chishti Nizami of the shrine recounted, “On Wednesday, a Milad was held after Maghrib prayers to commemorate the 179th Urs of Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA). Following the Milad, a Sama Qawwali was organised in a tent near the police station gate, attracting many devotees and supporters.
“Around 11 pm, the OC arrived and abruptly asked us to stop the event. Moments later, hundreds of madrasa students arrived, destroyed everything, and left. Around 3 am, they returned, launching another attack, vandalising the shrine, and setting it on fire.”
Khalilur added, “We have not faced such an incident in 150 years. If they had simply asked us to stop, we would have complied. Now, we demand justice for this act of violence.”
Alam Chishti, the organiser of the shrine’s festival, said, “We have been hosting Sama Qawwali events for years. When the OC asked us to stop, we complied immediately. Why, then, were we attacked, vandalised, and looted?
“The saints of Allah have always promoted faith and religion. We have done nothing against Islam. Why, then, were we subjected to such aggression?”
Baul Mizan Baula, a long-time performer at the annual festival, expressed shock, saying he had never encountered such hostility before.
Responding to the incident, Shahidul Islam, principal of Jamia Faizur Rahman (RA) Momenshahi Boro Masjid Madrasa, stated, “The students were preparing for exams and found the loud music and dancing near the police station gate unacceptable. Some students went to stop it, but when they returned, a few were reportedly beaten and threatened by locals. In anger, they vandalised the shrine. I only learned about the incident this morning and am working to ensure students do not engage in such actions in the future.”
Kotwali Model Police Station OC Shafiqul Islam Khan said, “No formal complaints have been filed so far. We are investigating the matter.”
The attack and vandalism have sparked significant outrage on social media. Many have condemned the incident and called for justice.
Young poet Shamim Ashraf live-streamed the attack on Facebook, stating, “This is unacceptable in a city known for its art and culture. Everyone should have the freedom to follow their ideology, but violence and vandalism are never the answer.”
Abul Kalam Al Azad, coordinator of the Brahmaputra Protection Movement, remarked, “We have been vocal about the issue on social media since last night. It was wrong to vandalise the shrine after attacking and disrupting the event. Such actions are inhumane and create social unrest, which is never desirable.”
District Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Abdul Karim also condemned the incident, saying, “The attack is highly deplorable. We do not want a repetition of such incidents in Mymensingh city.”
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