Islam in Bangladesh - Traditions and Sects

Traditions and Sects

The majority of Muslims in Bangladesh are Sunni, who mainly follow the Hanafi school of thought (madh'hab). The main groups include the Deobandi movement which many are part of the Tablighi Jamaat. The Bishwa Ijtema (World Congregation) is an event held annually by Tablighi Jamaat which focuses on prayers and meditation, attracting 5 million people from across Bangladesh and South Asia. There are large followers of Sufi-influenced groups such as the Barelvi movement. A group which has a large following is the Fultali, based on the teachings of late Saheb Qibla Fultali. The Jamaat-e-Islami is a political religious party, which is one of the largest Islamic party in Bangladesh.

There are about 27.5 million Muslims, mainly in areas of Rajshahi and Khulna, who recognize themselves as Ahle Hadith There are three main groups of Ahle Hadith, the majority are part of the Ahle Hadith Andolon Bangladesh (AHAB), led by Muhammad Asadullah Al-Ghalib. The other groups are the Jamiyate Ahle Hadith, and the Ahle Hadith Tablig-e-Islam. There are 600 Ahle Hadith mosques, and 5 madrassas in the country.

There are also few people who are Ahmadiyya and Shi'a Muslims. The Shi'a observance commemorating the martyrdom of Ali's sons, Hasan and Husayn, are still widely observed by the nation's Sunnis, even though there are small numbers of Shi'as. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which is claimed to be non-Muslim by mainstream Muslim leaders, is estimated to be around 100,000, the community has faced discrimination because of their belief and have been persecuted in some areas.