{{Short description|Bangladeshi Islamic scholar}} {{for|the diplomat|M Mahfuzul Haque}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = [[Mufti]] | name = Mahfuzul Haque | native_name = মাহফুজুল হক | native_name_lang = bn | image = Mahfuzul Haque at a round table conference of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.jpg | caption = Haque in 2025 | birth_place = [[Azimpur, Dhaka]] | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|11|15|df=yes}} | alma_mater = {{unbulleted list|[[Jamia Rahmania Arabia]]|[[Darul Uloom Deoband]]|[[Jamia Qurania Arabia Lalbagh]]}} | office = Secretary-General of [[Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh]] | term_start = 3 October 2020 | predecessor = [[Abdul Quddus (scholar)|Abdul Quddus]] | office1 = Secretary General of [[Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis]] | successor1 = [[Mamunul Haque]] | predecessor1 = Humayun Kabir | term_end1 = 2020 | term_start1 = 2013 | office2 = Principle of Jamia Rahmania Arabia | predecessor2 = [[Azizul Haque (scholar, born 1919)|Azizul Haque]] | term_start2 = 2002 | module = {{Infobox religious biography | embed = yes | father = [[Azizul Haque (scholar, born 1919)|Azizul Haque]] | religion = Islam | denomination = [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] | jurisprudence = [[Hanafi school|Hanafi]] | movement = [[Deobandi movement|Deobandi]] | main_interests = {{Unbulleted list|Politics|Education}} | relatives = {{Unbulleted list|[[Mamunul Haque]] (brother)|[[Nurul Haque Miah]] (brother-in-law)}} | party = [[Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis]] | nationality = [[Bangladeshis|Bangladeshi]] | signature = Mahfuzul Haque’s Signature.png }} }} '''Mahfuzul Haque''' (born 15 November 1969) is a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar, educator, and former politician, currently serving as the Governor of the [[Islamic Foundation Bangladesh]] since 18 November 2024. He has held the position of Secretary-General of [[Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh]] since 3 October 2020 and previously served as the Secretary-General of [[Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis]] from 2013 to 2020. He is the principal of [[Jamia Rahmania Arabia]], an Islamic seminary founded with the involvement of his father, [[Azizul Haque (scholar, born 1919)|Azizul Haque]]. He is an ex-officio member of the standing committee of [[Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh]], vice president of [[Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh]], and chairs the Shariah Supervisory Committee of [[Social Islami Bank]]. He also oversees the publication of the monthly religious magazine ''Rahmani Paigam''.
== Early life and education == Mahfuzul Haque was born on 15 November 1969 in [[Azimpur, Dhaka]].<ref name="WP83">{{Cite book |title=[[White Paper: 2000 Days of Fundamentalist and Communal Violence in Bangladesh]] |publisher=Public Commission to Investigate Fundamentalist and Communal Terrorism |year=2022 |location=Dhaka |page=101 |language=bn}}</ref> He is the eighth of thirteen siblings, and his younger brother is [[Mamunul Haque]]. Their father, Azizul Haque, was an Islamic scholar best known for his Bengali translation of [[Sahih al-Bukhari|''Sahih al-Bukhari'']].<ref name="WP82">{{Cite book |title=White Paper: 2000 Days of Fundamentalist and Communal Violence in Bangladesh |page=82, 101}}</ref> Haque began his early education under the guidance of his father. He later enrolled at Azimpur Chan-Tara Hefz Madrasa, where he memorized the ''Qur'an'' at the age of eleven under the tutelage of Abdul Matin.<ref name="WP102" /> He continued his religious studies at [[Jamia Qurania Arabia Lalbagh]], and in 1986, he was admitted to Bara Katara Madrasa. Soon after, he transferred to Jamia Mohammadpur, a newly established madrasa in which his father was involved. This institution was later relocated near the [[Sat Gambuj Mosque]] and renamed Jamia Rahmania Arabia. In 1991, he completed a master's-level degree in [[Hadith studies]] at Jamia Rahmania. The following year, he traveled to India to pursue another master's degree in Hadith at [[Darul Uloom Deoband]].<ref name="WP102" />
== Career == [[File:Mahfuzul Haque at a traditional waz mahfil in Sylhet.jpg|thumb|Mahfuzul Haque at a traditional waz mahfil in Sylhet]] Haque began his teaching career at Jamia Rahmania in 1993. While serving as a teacher, he also completed advanced studies in [[Fiqh|Islamic jurisprudence]] at the same institution, earning his [[Mufti]] certification.<ref name=":SIBL">{{Cite news |title=Mufti Mahfuzul Haque elected as Chairman of Shari'ah Supervisory Committee of Social Islami Bank |url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/mufti-mahfuzul-haque-elected-as-chairman-of-shariah-supervisory-committee-of-social-islami-bank |work=The Financial Express |location=Dhaka |date=13 November 2024}}</ref> In 2000, his father founded Jamia Haqiqia, where Haque was appointed director. He later returned to Jamia Rahmania, becoming assistant director in 2001 and principal in 2002.<ref name="WP102">{{Cite book |title=White Paper: 2000 Days of Fundamentalist and Communal Violence in Bangladesh |page=102}}</ref>
In 2005, Haque was elected joint secretary general of [[Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh]], the country's largest [[Qawmi madrasa]] education board.<ref name="WP102" /> That same year, he became involved with the [[Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis]] political party and was elected to its Majlis-e-Shura. He rose through the ranks, becoming vice-president in 2012 and secretary general in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ehsanul Haque |first=Muhammad |date=3 October 2020 |title=Maulana Mahfuzul Haque and His Life of Purpose and Simplicity |url=https://ourislam24.net/2020/10/03/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8 |work=Our Islam}}</ref>
On 3 October 2020, he was elected Secretary General of Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh through a vote held by the organization's central executive council, receiving 73 votes compared to 40 for his closest contender.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 October 2020 |title=Mahmudul Hasan Elected President, Mahfuzul Haque Named Secretary General of Qawmi Madrasa Board |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A1%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%95 |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |archive-date=17 January 2024 |access-date=10 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117051251/https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A1%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%95 |url-status=live}}</ref> In accordance with the organization's rules prohibiting political office holders from serving in executive positions,<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2020 |title=Mahfuzul Haque Appointed Befaq Secretary General, Agrees to Step Down from Party Role |url=https://www.banglatribune.com/politics/645576/%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%95 |work=Bangla Tribune}}</ref> he resigned from his role as Secretary General of the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis on 10 October 2020. His brother, Mamunul Haque, succeeded him in that position.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 October 2020 |title=Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Appoints Mamun as Secretary General After Mahfuz's Resignation |url=https://www.banglatribune.com/politics/646824/%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC |work=[[Bangla Tribune]]}}</ref>
He serves as a member of the standing committee of [[Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh]] and was reappointed to this position on 7 October 2023 after completing a full term.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 October 2023 |title=Mahmudul and Mahfuz Reappointed to Lead Befaq |url=https://www.banglatribune.com/others/819510/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%83%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C |work=Bangla Tribune}}</ref> He is the president of Ittefaqul Madarisil Qawmia Muhammadpur, a regional board overseeing approximately 40 madrasas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 October 2019 |title=Bhola Clashes Spark Demonstrations by Qawmi Madrasa Members in Mohammadpur |url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/bangladesh/article1679285.bdnews |work=[[Bdnews24.com]] |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=10 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112194236/https://bangla.bdnews24.com/bangladesh/article1679285.bdnews |url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, he acts as the supervisor of ''Rahmani Paigam'', a monthly publication by Jamia Rahmania.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rahmani Paigam |url=https://rahmaniadhaka.com/category/rahmani-paigam/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Jamia Rahmania Arabia Dhaka |language=en}}</ref>
On 15 November 2020, he was elected vice-president of [[Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh]] and retained the position following a committee reshuffle on 31 August 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 August 2023 |title=Hefazat Reveals New 202-Member Committee with 54 Advisors |url=https://www.dhakapost.com/politics/219505 |work=[[Dhaka Post]] |archive-date=10 August 2024 |access-date=10 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810065739/https://www.dhakapost.com/politics/219505 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was appointed a governor of the [[Islamic Foundation Bangladesh]] on 18 November 2024 and named chairman of the Shariah Supervisory Committee of [[Social Islami Bank]] on 14 November 2024.<ref name=":SIBL" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 November 2024 |title=Islamic Foundation Restructures Board of Governors |url=https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2024-11-20/uP2vtAPK |work=[[Somoy TV]]}}</ref>
== See also == * [[List of Deobandis]]
== References == {{Reflist}} {{Commons category}} {{Hanafi scholars}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Deobandis]] [[Category:Hanafis]] [[Category:1969 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Dhaka]] [[Category:Bangladeshi Islamic religious leaders]] [[Category:Bangladeshi Sunni Muslim scholars of Islam]] [[Category:20th-century Bengali people]] [[Category:20th-century Muslim scholars of Islam]] [[Category:Jamia Rahmania Arabia alumni]] [[Category:Darul Uloom Deoband alumni]] [[Category:Jamia Qurania Arabia Lalbagh alumni]] [[Category:People from Munshiganj District]] [[Category:Bengali Muslim scholars of Islam]] [[Category:Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis politicians]] [[Category:Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh vice-presidents]] [[Category:Secretary-General of Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh]] [[Category:Standing Committee member of Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh]] [[Category:Members of Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasa Education Commission]]