Pure Islamic Culture Must Be Promoted to Counter Shirk, Bid‘ah and Obscenity: Mia Golam Parwar

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has said that Dhaka is not only the administrative capital but also the literary and cultural capital of the country. He said the poets, writers and artists of Dhaka have a responsibility to lead a cultural revolution across the country.

To counter shirk (associating partners with Allah), bid‘ah (religious innovations) and obscenity, cultural activists in the capital must promote beautiful, thoughtful and pure Islamic songs, poems, stories, plays and films among the people. They must take the lead in the country’s cultural movement, he added.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the Cultural Leadership Programme organised by the Dhaka Metropolitan Region of Deshiya Sangskritik Sangsad at an auditorium in the capital on Friday (November 13).

Mr. Parwar said the foundation and central principle of Islamic culture is Tawhid, or belief in the oneness of Allah. It is not merely a religious belief; rather, it shapes the entire way of human life, including thoughts, values, morality and conduct.

He said the belief that Allah (SWT)  is the sole Creator, Sustainer and Controller of the entire universe is the driving force of Islamic culture. Love, fear, hope, worship and devotion must be directed solely towards Allah. This belief frees people from serving any other creation or power.

He added that the central philosophy of this timeless outlook was to practise literature and culture for the welfare of humanity, not merely for entertainment. The programme was chaired by Deshiya Sangskritik Sangsad President Saifullah Mansur.

Among the special guests were Jamaat-e-Islami Central Executive Council member Principal Shahabuddin; President of the party’s central Literature and Culture Department Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda; Dhaka South Metropolitan Jamaat Ameer and Member of Parliament Nurul Islam Bulbul; Dhaka North Metropolitan Jamaat Ameer and mayoral candidate Muhammad Selim Uddin; Dhaka North Metropolitan Secretary Dr Rezaul Karim; Dhaka South Metropolitan Assistant Secretary Delawar Hossain; and President of the Dhaka North Metropolitan Literature and Culture Committee Engineer Sirajul Islam.

Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda said political revolution could not succeed without a cultural revolution. Even if change came, it would not last without such a transformation. He said they must move forward with this historical lesson in mind.

In his presidential address, Saifullah Mansur said singing did not undermine a person’s character. Songs could stir people’s hearts and help turn the impossible into reality. However, he said, they must always remember that the Holy Quran is the most powerful means of transforming the human mind.