Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has paid tribute to its former Naib-e-Ameer, the internationally renowned Islamic scholar and Quranic commentator, Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi. On Tuesday, August 13, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman issued a statement commemorating his legacy.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated, “On the night of August 14, 2023, Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, former Naib-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and a globally respected Islamic scholar, passed away in the prison cell of PG Hospital due to alleged negligence in medical treatment. He was transferred to the hospital from Kashimpur Jail in a critical condition and admitted in the evening. However, the attending doctors and hospital authorities did not take the necessary steps to treat him, leading to his demise. Numerous reports have emerged indicating negligence in his treatment. Even in his last moments, his family members were not allowed to see him, and under such circumstances, he passed away at PG Hospital.”
He continued, “Following his death, his funeral was not permitted in Dhaka. When millions of followers demanded the right to offer funeral prayers in Dhaka, the police responded with tear gas, sound grenades, and gunfire, injuring hundreds of people. Eventually, his body was taken to his hometown in Pirojpur for the funeral and burial. Thousands of mourners prayed for him with tearful eyes, seeking Allah’s mercy.”
“Although Allama Sayeedi is no longer with us, he has left behind a legacy of life and work that will serve as an example for us. For more than half a century, he delivered Quranic interpretations (Tafsir) both in Bangladesh and abroad. His numerous speeches and video footage continue to be widely shared on social media, inspiring many people to embrace Islamic ideals. As a Member of Parliament and chairman or member of various parliamentary committees, he played a significant role. His Islamic literature, Tafsir, and Seerat books will continue to guide people for generations. The religious institutions he established will, Inshallah, produce Islamic scholars and commentators who will carry on his unfinished work. I remember his contributions with deep respect.”
Dr. Rahman also expressed, “His aspiration was to achieve martyrdom. May Allah accept his death as that of a martyr. I call upon the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and the people of our beloved country to come forward in the movement to establish a welfare-oriented Islamic state, which was the dream of Allama Sayeedi.”
