A critical analysis of the unity movement in Bangladesh: Shaikh Azizur Rahman’s “unity in diversity"

Huq, Fayzul and Arshad Islam, Islam (2019) A critical analysis of the unity movement in Bangladesh: Shaikh Azizur Rahman’s “unity in diversity". Journal of Research in Philosophy and History, 2 (2). pp. 153-171. ISSN 2576-2451 E-ISSN 2576-2435

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Abstract

Muslims in Bangladesh are polarised and disunited, including among Islamist groups, who are supposed to be the symbol of Muslim Unity. Shaikh Azizur Rahman Nesarabadi (1915-2008) was a pioneering figure who propelled the theory and practise of uniting the people of Bangladesh. According to him, ittihad mal Ikhtelaf (Unity in Diversity) is the only solution to existent disunity. This paper analyses his discourse and his role in the politics and society of Bangladesh by textual analysis of primary and secondary data. After analysing Unity in Diversity itself, we provide a short biographical sketch of Shaikh Azizur Rahman, showing his exposure to both Shariah and Sufi education, and their impacts on his thought. The paper then focuses on his ideas on four stages of unity and analyses them in light of contemporary social realities in Bangladesh and the Muslim world. This paper concludes that Shaikh Nesarabadi’s thought and theory on unity depend upon three elements: moderation and mutual respect, focus on common interest, and the Tawhidic paradigm. These comprise the framework for Muslim unity whose adoption by Muslims can fulfil the command of Allah to enable the Ummah to resume a leading role in the world as a champion of justice.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	1440/75752
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Shaikh Azizur Rahman Nesarabadi, Muslims, Bangladesh, Sharia, Suf
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP134.S3 Quran and Science B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam > BP165.5 Dogma (‘Aqa’id) B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam > BP170.82 Unity of Islam B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam > BP171 Relation of Islam to other religions B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam > BP173.6 Islam and the state B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam > BP174 The Practice of Islam B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam > BP174 The Practice of Islam > BP188 Islamic religious life D History General and Old World > DS Asia L Education > L Education (General) L Education > LG Individual institutions (Asia. Africa)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of History & Civilization
Depositing User:	Dr. Arshad Islam
Date Deposited:	04 Nov 2019 12:36
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2019 12:36
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/75752

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