Syed Rezaul Karim

Syed Rezaul Karim (born 1 February 1971), also known by his title Charmonai Pir,^[1] is a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar, politician, who serving as the Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh.^[2] He is also President of the Bangladesh Mujahid Committee and Bangladesh Quran Education Board, and the Vice President of Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh.^[3]

Amirul Mujahidin, Mufti Syed Rezaul Karim
সৈয়দ রেজাউল করিম
President of Islami Andolan Bangladesh
Incumbent
Assumed office 2006
Preceded by	Syed Fazlul Karim
Chairman of Char Monai Union
In office 2003–2011
Preceded by	Abdus Salam Rari
Succeeded by	Syed Ishaq Muhammad Abul Khair
Personal details
Born	(1971-02-01) 1 February 1971 (age 54) Char Monai, Barisal
Parent	Syed Fazlul Karim (father)
Relatives	Syed Muhammad Ishaq (grandfather) Syed Faizul Karim (brother)
Alma mater	Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom Madania Charmonai Jamia Rashidia Islamia Sagardi Islamia Kamil Madrasa
Personal life
Nationality	Bangladeshi
Era	Modern
Main interest(s)	Politics, Tasawwuf
Notable work(s)	Islamic Labor Movement Islamic Youth Movement National Teachers Forum National Council of Ulama Mashayekh Aimma National Bar Council National Freedom Fighters Council
Religious life
Religion	Islam
Denomination	Sunni
Jurisprudence	Hanafi
Movement	Deobandi
Muslim leader
Influenced Syed Faizul Karim

Early life and family

Rezaul Karim was born on 1 February 1971 in the village of Char Monai in Barisal, East Pakistan.^[3] His grandfather, Syed Muhammad Ishaq, was the first Pir of Charmonai, and his father, Syed Fazlul Karim, was the second Pir of Charmonai.^[4]

Education

He started his education from Charmonai Jamia Rashidia Islamia. He passed Kamil (post-graduate) from its Alia branch in 1991. At the same time, he used to attend classes in its Qawmi branch. Then he obtained higher degree in Fiqh and Hadith from Sagardi Islamia Kamil Madrasa, Barisal. He studied at Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom Madania for some time.^[5]

Career

After completing his education, he joined Charmonai Jamia Rashidia Islamia as a teacher of its Alia branch. Then he was assistant principals of both the branches (Alia and Qawmi) for long time. Currently, he is the main patron of both branches. He is also the President of the Bangladesh Quran Education Board and co-president of Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh.^[5]

He served as the chairman of Char Monai Union for two terms from 2003 to 2011.^[6]

After the death of his father on 25 November 2006, he was elected Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Bangladesh Mujahideen Committee.^[7]

Politics

From his student life, he was involved in politics of Islami Shasantantra Chhatra Andolan. Later he served as the Student Welfare Secretary of its Central Committee. He was arrested during the Four-party coalition government led by BNP for his activism in the Islamic movement.^[5]

Views

Criticism of Sheikh Hasina

At a conference in June 2019, Sheikh Hasina said about Hijab, "Hand socks, foot socks, nose and eyes covered, absolutely, what is it? Wandering around as living tents; It doesn't make sense." Rezaul Karim called her statement irresponsible and called for her withdrawal.^[8]

See also

• List of Deobandis