Teknaf, Oct 01 (V7N) – A dispute over the property of a madrasa and khanqah established 56 years ago in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, has intensified, with the founder’s only son alleging that the institution’s land, market properties and other assets have been unlawfully occupied.

Alhaj Hafez Jalal Ahmed, son of late Shah Sufi Abdul Kader Fakir, who founded the institution, made the allegations at a press conference held Wednesday afternoon at Ulubunia Roadhead in Whykong Union.

He alleged that property and assets worth more than Tk 1 crore 20 lakh, including cash, land, market properties and other belongings, had been misappropriated. He also alleged that income generated from occupied land and market properties had not been properly accounted for.

The allegations were denied by Nurul Amin, one of those named by Jalal. He disputed the ownership claim and said the land belonged to Faraz Khatun, who, according to him, had transferred the property to them before her death.

Jalal said his father established the Katakhali Hafezia Darul Quran Furqania Madrasa and Khanqah in the Katakhali area of Ward 1 in Whykong Union in 1970. According to him, the institution later became a centre for religious education and spiritual activities, attracting devotees, religious scholars and spiritual practitioners from different parts of Bangladesh and the wider region.

He said the dispute began after his father died on Nov 26, 2006. He alleged that several individuals, including the children of late Hossain Ali—Syed Amin, Rashid Amin, Nurul Amin, Mohammad Amin and Zulekha Begum—subsequently took control of the institution’s land, market properties and other assets.

Jalal alleged that the prolonged dispute and control of the property had disrupted the regular activities of the madrasa and khanqah and affected the participation of devotees in religious programmes.

Dispute Over Waqf Mutawalli Appointment

Jalal said the Bangladesh Waqf Administrator appointed him as the institution’s mutawalli for a three-year term on June 23.

He alleged that those occupying the property had refused to recognise the appointment and continued to retain control of the institution’s assets.

He called for the relevant deeds, land records, Waqf documents and financial records to be examined impartially to resolve the dispute.

Citizenship Allegations

Jalal also raised allegations concerning the citizenship of some of the individuals involved in the dispute, claiming that some had entered Bangladesh from Myanmar in 1978 and later obtained Bangladeshi citizenship using allegedly false documents.

He did not present the allegations as established facts and called for an impartial investigation by the administration and law enforcement agencies to determine their veracity.

“We do not want any conflict,” Jalal said. “We want the truth to be established through an impartial investigation and the institution’s property and regular activities to be protected through lawful means.”

Accused Denies Allegations

Nurul Amin rejected Jalal’s allegations, saying the management responsibility of the madrasa had previously been handed over to Faraz Khatun and Syed Amin.

He claimed that the land was not owned by the founder and said Faraz Khatun had transferred the property to them before her death.

Nurul Amin also questioned the Waqf Administrator’s appointment and disputed the validity of related government directives and court decisions. He said the property was currently under their control.

The conflicting claims have made verification of the relevant deeds, land records, Waqf documents and court orders important to determine the ownership and management rights over the disputed property.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) S M Anik Chowdhury said that when the Ministry of Religious Affairs appoints an authorised Waqf mutawalli to manage an institution, responsibility for its management rests with the appointed person.

“If anyone violates the rules, legal action will be taken against them,” he said.

The ownership of the property, the validity of the Waqf mutawalli appointment and the competing claims of the two sides will require verification of official records and documents. The actual ownership and management status can be established after an investigation by the relevant authorities.

END/MSI/SMA/