Special Correspondent

He is neither an imam of any mosque nor an elected representative of imams. Yet, he presents himself everywhere as the "Secretary General of the National Imam Association," attending various national and international events.

Breaking state protocols, he frequently visits the Secretariat, Ganabhaban, and Bangabhaban, taking photographs with ministers and secretaries to share across social media platforms. Operating under the banner of imam welfare, he has allegedly amassed crores of taka from generous donors.

The individual at the center of this controversy is Shah Nazrul Islam, a former caretaker and subsequent religious trainer at the Islamic Foundation, who currently occupies the higher-ranking chair of Deputy Director at the Imam Training Academy in Dhaka through alleged influence

According to Islamic Foundation sources, Shah Nazrul Islam's latest appointment was as a religious trainer at the Imam Training Academy. However, leveraging his clout, he has occupied the position of Deputy Director in Dhaka.

He initially joined the Mosque-Based Child and Mass Education Project as a caretaker and was later promoted to supervisor through lobbying, sources said. During recruitment at the Imam Training Academy, despite facing age-limit complications, his application was initially rejected but later reinstated through high-level influence, ultimately securing him the trainer post.

For the past 15 years, sources at the Islamic Foundation’s Sylhet office noted, he served prominently in the Sylhet region, allegedly acting with more political zeal than local Awami League leaders. Accusations indicate he delivered speeches describing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as an " Wali of Allah" (saint), prayed for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to rule for a hundred years, and publicly claimed Bangabandhu was a descendant of Bayazid Bostami. Videos of these speeches were widely circulated on social media before being swiftly deleted following the political changeover on August 5.

Additional allegations from the Sylhet office claim that during a visit by Mohiuddin Majumdar, president of the Islamic Foundation head office Bangabandhu Parishad, funds meant for a rooftop garden were diverted overnight to purchase a television and an air conditioner. Trainee imams were reportedly forced to work as laborers under the cover of night to complete the rooftop garden setup.

Serious questions have also been raised regarding his political alignment. Following the political shift, he reportedly began presenting himself as a pro-Jamaat figure, with local discussions suggesting he worked for a Jamaat-backed candidate in the Moulvibazar area ahead of the February 12 election. Post-election, he has reportedly been seen cultivating close ties with BNP circles.

Furthermore, allegations of age falsification have surfaced. While critics claim his actual age exceeds 70, official records keep it under 55, enabling him to retain his government job and secure subsequent promotions.

His personal life has also drawn scrutiny. He allegedly concealed his second marriage from his first wife and family. Upon discovering that he was living with his second wife in a government bungalow, his first wife frequently confronted him at the office, eventually leading to a routine where she would personally drop him off and pick him up from work.

When confronted with the allegations, Shah Nazrul Islam defended his credentials, stating that although he is a government employee, he occasionally leads Dhuhr prayers at the office, maintaining that he is fully capable of serving as an imam if assigned. He admitted that neither the president nor the secretary of the Imam Association was elected through a formal ballot.

Regarding the collection of funds from affluent donors, he acknowledged taking donations, though he contested the scale, stating, "It is not crores of taka, but sometimes a few lakhs are taken from generous individuals, which is spent entirely on the welfare of imams."

Observers and stakeholders emphasize that a thorough, independent investigation is warranted into Shah Nazrul Islam’s appointment, age records, promotions, his tenure in the "National Imam Association," the collection and expenditure of donations, and his shifting political alignments. Experts note that utilizing a government official identity while heading a private organization to collect funds requires strict financial accountability and scrutiny.