Islamic University renames buildings from Sheikh family to Shah Aziz

Islamic University, located in Kushtia, has recently come under fire for renaming four student halls and one academic building that were previously named after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other members of the Sheikh family.

A notice issued on Wednesday, March 5th, signed by the acting registrar of the university, confirmed the changes. 

According to the statement, the decision to rename these halls and the academic building was made during the university‍‍`s 267th syndicate meeting, which took place on February 26th.

The renaming has drawn sharp criticism, especially regarding the decision to change the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall to Shah Azizur Rahman Hall, sparking heated debates on social media. 

Shah Azizur Rahman was a controversial figure, known for opposing Bangladesh‍‍`s 1971 Liberation War.

As per the syndicate’s decision, Sheikh Hasina Hall is now “July-36 Hall”, Sheikh Russel Hall has been renamed to “Shaheed Anas Hall”, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall has become “Shah Azizur Rahman Hall”, Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall has been renamed to “Ummul Muminin Ayesha Siddiqa Hall”, and the Wazed Miah Science Building is now the “Ibn Sina Science Building”.

The most controversial change has been the renaming of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall to Shah Azizur Rahman Hall.

Shah Azizur Rahman, during the Liberation War of 1971, was a member of the cabinet led by Abdul Motaleb Malik in East Pakistan and served as the Revenue Minister. 

He was also a member of the Pakistani delegation to the United Nations, where he strongly denied that Pakistan’s military committed any atrocities or genocide in Bangladesh during the war.

Born in 1925 in Kushtia, Shah Azizur Rahman was a political figure who later became Prime Minister of independent Bangladesh.

Before his controversial role during the war, he had been active in the anti-British movement under the Muslim League. 

He also opposed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s campaign for autonomy in East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh.

In November 1971, Shah Azizur Rahman led Pakistan‍‍`s diplomatic mission to the United Nations and denied the reports of genocide being committed by Pakistani forces in Bangladesh. 

He went on to urge other Muslim countries not to recognize Bangladesh‍‍`s independence. 

After the war, Shah Azizur Rahman was arrested and tried as a collaborator under the Collaborators Act for opposing Bangladesh’s independence.

Shah Azizur Rahman’s political career continued after his release, and in 1978, he joined the Nationalist Front, a political group formed before the creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). 

He became an important figure in the BNP after Ziaur Rahman won the 1978 presidential election, running as a candidate from the Nationalist Front. 

In 1979, Shah Azizur Rahman was appointed Prime Minister during Ziaur Rahman’s presidency. 

He continued as Prime Minister even after Zia’s assassination, serving under President Justice Abdus Sattar until 1982, when Hussain Muhammad Ershad took control and removed him from office. Shah Azizur Rahman passed away in 1988.

This renaming of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall in his honor has ignited outrage, given his controversial role during the 1971 Liberation War. 

Many see the decision as an insult to the memory of those who fought for Bangladesh’s independence. 

Social media has been buzzing with criticism, and the university has not yet addressed the growing backlash.

This controversy is likely to continue making headlines as the debate over historical figures and their legacies rages on in Bangladesh.