# Freedom of Intellect Movement

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{{Short description|Bengal Renaissance movement}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox organization
| name              = Freedom of Intellect Movement
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| formation         = {{start date|df=yes|1926|01|19}}
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| founding_location = [Dhaka University](/source/Dhaka_University)
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The '''Freedom of Intellect Movement'''<ref>{{cite book|last=Khan|first=Shahadat H.|title=The Freedom of Intellect Movement (Buddhir Mukti Andolan) in Bengali Muslim Thought, 1926–1938|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jFGgAAAAMAAJ|year=2007|publisher=[Edwin Mellen Press](/source/Edwin_Mellen_Press)|isbn=978-0-7734-5423-1}}</ref> was a [Bengal Renaissance](/source/Bengal_Renaissance) movement advocating [rationality](/source/rationality) against religious and social [dogma](/source/dogma) in [Bengali Muslim](/source/Bengali_Muslim) society. It was spearheaded by [intellectuals](/source/Intellectual) in the [University of Dhaka](/source/University_of_Dhaka) during the [British Raj](/source/British_Raj).The movement also established the prestigious [Muslim Literary Society](/source/Muslim_Sahitya-Samaj) in [Dhaka](/source/Dhaka).<ref>{{cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Wakil |date=2013 |title=Buddhir Mukti Andolan |url=http://www.ebanglapedia.com/en/article.php?id=1025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303084019/http://www.ebanglapedia.com/en/article.php?id=1025 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2019-10-03 |website=BanglaPedia : National Pedia of Bangladesh}}</ref>

Freedom of Intellect Movement<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jFGgAAAAMAAJ|title=The Freedom of Intellect Movement (Buddhir Mukti Andolan) in Bengali Muslim Thought, 1926–1938|last=Khan|first=Shahadat H.|year=2007|publisher=[Edwin Mellen Press](/source/Edwin_Mellen_Press)|isbn=978-0-7734-5423-1}}</ref> was a [Bengal Renaissance](/source/Bengal_Renaissance) movement that promoted [rationalism](/source/rationalism) and spoke against religious and social [ideologies](/source/Ideology) within the [Bengali Muslim](/source/Bengali_Muslim) community. This movement was led by intellectuals from [Dhaka University](/source/Dhaka_University) during the time of the [British Raj](/source/British_Raj). The movement's primary publication was called ‘Shikha.’<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Mahfuz|first=Imran|date=2021-01-11|language=en|title=The First Movement of Freethinking in Dhaka|url=https://bangla.thedailystar.net/node/198025|access-date=2024-10-03|website=The Daily Star Bangla}}</ref> On the first page of ‘Shikha’, it stated, "Where knowledge is limited, intellect is bound, and freedom is impossible."<ref>[https://www.jugantor.com/todays-paper/jugantar-20-years/274592/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA Movement for the Freedom of Intellect and Debate Artistry | Daily Jugantor]</ref> One of the major successes of this movement was the establishment of the prestigious [Muslim Sahitya Samaj](/source/Muslim_Sahitya-Samaj) in [Dhaka](/source/Dhaka).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Wakil|date=2013|title=Buddhir Mukti Andolan|url=http://www.ebanglapedia.com/en/article.php?id=1025|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303084019/http://www.ebanglapedia.com/en/article.php?id=1025|archive-date=2016-03-03|access-date=2019-10-03|website=BanglaPedia: National Pedia of Bangladesh}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Latif|first=Mamtaz|date=2023-02-01|language=bn|title=Freedom of Intellect Movement|url=https://www.dailyjanakantha.com/opinion/news/676746|access-date=2024-10-03|website=[Daily Janakantha](/source/Daily_Janakantha)}}</ref> Notable members included [Kazi Abdul Wadud](/source/Kazi_Abdul_Wadud), [Abul Fazal](/source/Abul_Fazal_(writer)), [Muhammad Shahidullah](/source/Muhammad_Shahidullah), [Qazi Motahar Hossain](/source/Qazi_Motahar_Hossain), [Kazi Nazrul Islam](/source/Kazi_Nazrul_Islam) and [Abdul Quadir](/source/Abdul_Quadir).<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Khan |first=Shahadat H. |title=The freedom of intellect movement (Buddhir Mukt Andolan) in Bengali Muslim thought, 1926-1938 |date=1997 |degree=Thesis |url=https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/handle/1807/10809 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Priyam Pritim |date=2024-07-29 |title=A forgotten chapter in the intellectual movement of Bengali Muslims |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/focus/news/forgotten-chapter-the-intellectual-movement-bengali-muslims-3664336 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
The '''Freedom of Intellect Movement''' began with the formation of the ‘[Muslim Sahitya Samaj](/source/Muslim_Sahitya-Samaj)’ (Muslim Literary Society) in 1926. Its primary goal was to eliminate religious [dogma](/source/dogma), [ignorance](/source/ignorance), and [superstitions](/source/Superstition) from society and promote [rational](/source/Rationality) and [secular](/source/Secularity) thinking. Notable members of the movement included [Kazi Abdul Wadud](/source/Kazi_Abdul_Wadud), [Abul Fazl](/source/Abul_Fazal_(writer)), [Muhammad Shahidullah](/source/Muhammad_Shahidullah), [Qazi Motahar Hossain](/source/Qazi_Motahar_Hossain), [Kazi Nazrul Islam](/source/Kazi_Nazrul_Islam), and [Abdul Quadir](/source/Abdul_Quadir).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Abul Kashem|first=Fazlul Haq|date=2024-10-03|title=Freedom of Intellect Movement Still Relevant Today|url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/miscellaneous/2024/10/01/1430705|access-date=2024-10-03|website=Kaler Kantho}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Azadi|first=Dainik|date=2021-05-18|language=en-US|title=Kazi Abdul Wadud: Pioneer of Free Thinking and Cultural Liberation|url=https://dainikazadi.net/%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6-4/|access-date=2024-10-03|website=Dainik Azadi}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

At the beginning of the 20th century, the [Bengali Muslim](/source/Bengali_Muslims) community harbored [resentment](/source/resentment) toward [British rule](/source/British_Raj) and distanced itself from [modern](/source/Modernity) knowledge and [science](/source/science). Due to this antagonism, the Muslim society fell behind in [education](/source/education), [economics](/source/economics), and social [progress](/source/progress). On the contrary, the [Hindu](/source/Hindus) community accepted British rule and progressed through modern education. The Freedom of Intellect Movement aimed to change this situation in society.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

The movement was spearheaded by the [Muslim Sahitya Samaj](/source/Muslim_Sahitya-Samaj), founded on 19 January 1926 at [Muslim Hall](/source/Salimullah_Muslim_Hall) in [Dhaka University](/source/Dhaka_University), under the leadership of Professor Dr. [Muhammad Shahidullah](/source/Muhammad_Shahidullah) of the Bengali and Cultural Department. Other key leaders included Abul Hussain, [Kazi Abdul Wadud](/source/Kazi_Abdul_Wadud), [Qazi Motahar Hossain](/source/Qazi_Motahar_Hossain), [Motaher Hossain Chowdhury](/source/Motaher_Hussain_Chowdhury), [Abdul Quadir](/source/Abdul_Quadir), and several other [intellectuals](/source/Intellectual).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ajkerpatrika.com/295098/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2|title=How Much Did the Light of the Freedom of Intellect Movement Spread?|last=Abdul Alim|first=Dr. M.|date=3 October 2023|work=Ajker Patrika|access-date=3 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003090038/https://www.ajkerpatrika.com/web/20241003090038/https://www.ajkerpatrika.com/295098/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2|archive-date=3 October 2024|url-status=live|language=Bangla}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />

== Objectives and programs ==
The Freedom of Intellect Movement was founded on the principles of [rationalism](/source/rationalism), [secularism](/source/secularism), and [humanism](/source/humanism). The movement's primary goal was to lead an [intellectual](/source/Intellect) and [literary](/source/Literature) drive that opposed blind [superstition](/source/superstition), religious [dogma](/source/dogma), and [backwardness](/source/backwardness) in [Bengali Muslim](/source/Bengali_Muslims) society, while promoting rationalism, humanity, and [scientific](/source/Science) thinking.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

At the second annual conference of the ‘[Muslim Sahitya Samaj](/source/Muslim_Sahitya-Samaj),’ it was declared, "We want to open our eyes and truly experience life, and we want to burn away the [superstitions](/source/Superstition)." The movement aimed to address the crisis of [self-identity](/source/Self-concept) within the Muslim community and promote scientific thinking and humanism.<ref name=":1" />

In 1929, after the publication of Abul Hussain’s article ‘Adesh-er Nigraha’ (Suppression of Commandments), there was a strong backlash from conservative circles in [Dhaka](/source/Dhaka). This event forced Abul Hussain to issue an apology, which became a significant episode in the movement. Though he later resigned, this event did not halt the movement's progress.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

== Impact ==
The Freedom of Intellect Movement initiated a [renaissance](/source/Bengal_Renaissance) in the [Bengali Muslim](/source/Bengali_Muslims) society. Although it did not directly oppose religion, it strongly voiced against the [conservatism](/source/conservatism) and [superstitions](/source/Superstition) in society. This movement inspired a new wave of [thought](/source/thought) within Bengali Muslim society.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

The movement continued its activities until 1936, spreading its ideas through the ‘Shikha’ magazine. Though the movement’s influence eventually waned, its teachings and [ideals](/source/Ideal_(ethics)) remain foundational to the [progressive](/source/Progressivism) values of Bengali society today.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

Category:University of Dhaka
Category:Bengal Renaissance
Category:Organisations based in Dhaka
Category:1926 establishments in India

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Freedom of Intellect Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_Intellect_Movement) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_Intellect_Movement?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.