Maulana M. A. Mannan (Rah.)
Founder, The Daily Inqilab
Alhaj Maulana Muhammad Abdul Mannan (Rah.) was an internationally renowned visionary reformer, Islamic scholar, distinguished politician, former minister, and educator. In 1986, he founded The Daily Inqilab and Inqilab Enterprise and Publications with a fearless vision to speak the truth, uphold values, and stand firmly with the people. Born in 1933 into a renowned Muslim family in Kerowa village, Faridganj, Chandpur, he was the son of Sufi Mohammad Yasin (RA), a universally respected spiritual leader and Pir who held the title Shaikh Tariqat.
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He earned Mumtazul Mahaddesheen, the highest degree in Islamic education, and gained international recognition as an Islamic scholar. After many years as a madrasa teacher and principal, he entered active politics in 1962, when he was elected a member of the Provincial Assembly and Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Local Government. He became Secretary General of the East Pakistan Muslim League in 1964 and a member of the Pakistan Ideology Council in 1965. As special envoy of President Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan, he visited almost every Muslim country and met with their heads of government.
After Bangladesh was established, he was elected a Member of Parliament in 1979, and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman appointed him a member of the Dutpul. In 1981, he served as State Minister for Education under President Abdus Sattar. In 1986, President H. M. Ershad appointed him Minister of Religious Affairs and also assigned him responsibility for the Ministry of Relief and Rehabilitation, both of which he carried out with great efficiency and dedication.
Known for his legendary organizational skills, he took charge of the madrasa teachers’ organization Modarresin in 1976. Under his leadership, it united 200,000 madrasa teachers under one umbrella, and he remained the undisputed president of Jamiatul Modarresin until his death. In 1977, he founded the Bangladesh Teachers Association Federation, recognized as the largest organization of its kind in the world, and served as its president for more than a decade.
His greatest achievement was establishing The Daily Inqilab, one of the country’s most widely read and circulated daily newspapers, where he served as founder and managing director. He also established the Gausul Azam Jame Mosque in Mohakhali and the Jamiatul Modarresin Complex. His religious, social, and public service will remain worthy of remembrance for generations to come.
