Baitul Mukarram’s Khatib: It Is Time to End the Controversy
Baitul Mukarram, Bangladesh’s National Mosque, occupies a unique place in the religious, social, and cultural life of the country.
It is not the property or platform of any particular political party, religious group, or school of thought.
Rather, it is a national institution closely connected with the religious sentiments, traditions, and social harmony of Muslims across Bangladesh.
For that very reason, the question of who should serve as its Khatib cannot be treated as an ordinary appointment.
The position carries considerable religious and social responsibility. It requires not only sound Islamic scholarship and piety, but also intellectual maturity, knowledge of contemporary national and international affairs, sound judgment, moral integrity, public acceptability, and the ability to address people with wisdom and balance.
The recent controversy surrounding the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram therefore deserves a careful and responsible resolution. Prolonging a dispute over the leadership of the National Mosque serves no constructive purpose.
If the issue increasingly becomes personalised or politicised, the institutional dignity of Baitul Mukarram itself may suffer.
The priority now should be to move beyond personalities and establish a transparent, credible, and sustainable mechanism for selecting the Khatib.
Merit Must Come Before Politics
The selection of the Khatib of the National Mosque should be based primarily on merit and suitability.
A prospective Khatib should possess deep knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah, sound understanding of Islamic jurisprudence and theology, the ability to deliver effective Khutbahs, and a balanced understanding of contemporary social and national issues.
Equally important are integrity, moderation, wisdom, communication skills, and broad acceptance among worshippers.
A Khatib is not simply the person who leads the Friday prayer. The Friday Khutbah is one of the most influential public religious platforms in Muslim society.
From the minbar, a Khatib can promote justice, honesty, compassion, social responsibility, family values, peaceful coexistence, and respect for human dignity.
The National Mosque has an even greater responsibility in this regard. Its sermons can influence millions of people directly or indirectly and can contribute to shaping the moral outlook of future generations.
Young people, in particular, should receive constructive guidance that encourages them to become responsible citizens, contribute to national development, uphold justice and human dignity, and protect the independence and sovereignty of the country.
For these reasons, personal preferences, political affiliations, factional interests, or temporary political circumstances should not become decisive factors in the appointment.
The National Mosque Must Remain Above Political Polarisation
Baitul Mukarram belongs to the nation. It should therefore remain above partisan politics.
A Khatib, like any other citizen, has the right to hold personal political views. That right should be respected. However, the National Mosque’s minbar should not become an instrument for promoting partisan political interests.
At the same time, a person should not be disqualified merely because of his political identity or past associations.
What matters most is whether he can discharge the responsibilities of the National Mosque impartially, responsibly, and with due regard for Islamic principles and the national interest.
The Khatib should be able to speak about truth, justice, morality, corruption, social injustice, human rights, public responsibility, national unity, and other matters of legitimate public concern.
But such guidance must be delivered with wisdom, balance, and sensitivity to the circumstances of time and place.
The objective should be to strengthen social cohesion—not deepen political or sectarian divisions.
A Transparent Selection Process Is Essential
The present controversy provides an opportunity to establish a more credible and permanent system for selecting the Khatib of the National Mosque.
The relevant authorities could consider forming an independent, high-level selection committee comprising distinguished Islamic scholars, respected Islamic thinkers, representatives of recognised religious institutions, and appropriate government representatives.
Such a committee could evaluate candidates according to clearly defined criteria, including:
* Islamic scholarship and educational qualifications;
* knowledge of the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Islamic jurisprudence;
* ability to deliver effective and balanced Khutbahs;
* understanding of contemporary national and international affairs;
* moral integrity and personal conduct;
* social and religious acceptability;
* ability to promote peace, justice, and social harmony; and
* suitability for representing the dignity of the National Mosque.
The appointment should also clearly define Khatib’s responsibilities, tenure, code of conduct, institutional accountability, and procedures for evaluating performance.
Could a Multiple-Khatib System Be Considered?
Bangladesh may also consider whether a structured system involving several qualified Khatibs could provide greater institutional continuity.
Taking inspiration from the arrangements of the Haramain Sharifain, it could be considered whether four or five suitably qualified Khatibs might be appointed, with Friday Khutbahs delivered on a rotational basis under the overall coordination and guidance of a Chief Khatib.
Such a model would have to be carefully designed according to Bangladesh’s legal, administrative, religious, and institutional circumstances. It should not be adopted merely as an imitation of another system.
Nevertheless, the idea deserves serious discussion if it can contribute to continuity, institutional stability, and a reduction in personality-centred controversy.
The Minbar Should Unite, Not Divide
Islamic history demonstrates the profound role of the mosque’s minbar in educating society, calling people towards truth, promoting justice, and strengthening moral responsibility.
That tradition is particularly relevant today.
Bangladesh is passing through a period of considerable political and social polarisation. People differ over political ideology, religious interpretation, social issues, and national priorities.
In such an environment, the National Mosque should serve as a place where people are reminded of their common responsibilities rather than their differences.
Khutbahs from Baitul Mukarram should encourage peace, justice, honesty, compassion, mutual respect, social responsibility, and national unity.
They can also address issues such as corruption, drug abuse, family breakdown, violence, discrimination, poverty, and violations of human dignity.
This does not mean avoiding difficult issues. Rather, it means addressing them with wisdom, evidence, moderation, and a sincere commitment to the public good.
The National Mosque should neither become silent on matters of justice nor become an arena for partisan confrontation.
Resolve the Matter with Dignity
The controversy surrounding the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque should not be allowed to develop into a wider religious or political confrontation.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and other relevant authorities should take the initiative to resolve the matter through consultation, transparency, and institutional procedures.
The objective should not be to establish the victory of one person or group over another. The objective should be to protect the dignity of the National Mosque and restore confidence among worshippers.
A wise institutional decision today can prevent repeated controversy in the future.
Ultimately, the question should not be, “Whose Khatib will he be?” The more appropriate question is, “Who is most qualified to serve the National Mosque and its worshippers?”
The answer should be determined by knowledge, integrity, competence, wisdom, acceptability, and a transparent process—not by political influence, factional interests, or personal preferences.
The National Mosque deserves nothing less.
The time has come for all concerned to exercise restraint, responsibility, and mutual respect and to bring the controversy to a dignified conclusion.
The minbar of Baitul Mukarram should not be a platform for controversy. It should remain a symbol of unity, justice, morality, guidance, and spiritual enlightenment.
(The writer is an Islamic Thinker and Economist, Social and Political Scholar, and Human Rights Activist)
