Shahjahanpur Shibir

and strong student bodies in its politics. It has influenced the political course in Bangladesh also. A number of political parties are active in the country with significant differences in ideologies, objectives, programmes and modus operandi with corresponding effects in the student political bodies whose inception often crosses the boundaries of Bangladesh-Pakistan-India divide in the British Raj. Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir is the name of such a student organization born in the post liberation era of Bangladesh. An informal enlightened alternative to the traditional educational institution, BICS started its glorious journey some 35 years ago on Feb 6, 1977 from the central mosque of the Dhaka University. Today it occupies a permanent seat in the hearts of the common people as a progressive, dynamic, and democratic student organization working to promote the cause of the humanity. The last 35 years of history of BICS can be looked from different angles in the background of the socio-economic, political and cultural structures of a developing country like Bangladesh. It deserves a close consideration in a country which is the world’s 4th largest Muslim majority state. A conscious, neutral and adequate view of the organization is necessary. Shibir has made a history and a great tradition in its 35years of activism. This text is an attempt to present to the public eye for a proper consideration. The birth of Shibir: an inevitable reality of the late 1970’s-

No organization is born without adequate historical necessities. The social, religious, political and cultural scenarios of Bangladesh in the late 1970 have made the birth of an organization like Shibir very inevitable. Post-independence Bangladesh-

A nine month long bloody liberation war resulted in the birth of an independent Bangladesh on December 16, 1971. A new geographic map, a red-green flag emerged but the people could achieve no real freedom as the neighbouring India immediately started bossing the new born nation. Removable properties continued to be smuggled through the border area. A protest from the conscious section of the society led to indiscriminate arrests and the Liberation War Sector Commander Major M.A. Jalil became the first victim as a political prisoner. Within a very short time the country experienced economic disaster, political instability and cultural chaos. Pseudo-servitude descended on the country making a prominent researcher and writer to observe, ‘Our freedom is bought dearly but sold cheaply’. Just three years after the liberation Bangladesh witnessed a dictatorial government in this democratic republic in the form of BAKSHAL and a ban on all other parties and opinions. Any group or organization in the name of Islam was also prohibited. All but four government controlled newspapers were closed down. Black laws were imposed on the people blocking the way for the freedom of speech and press. Some 30 thousand young people lost their lives in their attempt to protest. Some sadist young guys took the control of the country with a slogan for ‘One Leader One Country’. Men lost their freedom even of crying. The sons of those in power went literally beyond the law and common people suffered the worst. Humans and the dogs started fighting in the dustbin for food. An infamous famine swept over the country leading to the starvation and deaths of millions during that era, bringing a real horrible dystopia in the place of a free, promising Bangladesh. Dream of a golden Bengal and the lack of gold

Ideally, Bangladesh is a dream country full of water, fruits, crops and greenery. It is said that once upon time people were able to buy 40 kgs of rice per 8 takas here. Abundant rice, cattle heads and peace characterized the homely environment here. That’s why, this land used to be called the Golden Bengal. As repeated colonial rules and invaders from overseas troubled the happiness, richness and stability in the nation, many leaders always promised to establish the Golden Bengal. A similar promise inspired the Bangladeshis irrespective of their ages and occupation in 1971 to wage the war of liberation from the clutches of Pakistani autocratic rulers. The struggle for freedom was successful but the dream of the Golden Bengal never came true. In one of his often quoted speech, the leader of the liberation Sheikh Mijibur Rahman said, “While people nurture a golden hope after liberation, I have found a mine of thieves. Thieves are there all around me. I have not even received one blanket out 7 crores sent to the nation of 7 crores people sent by the donors.”

Evidently, implementation of the Golden Bengal is not as easy as the dream of it. A group of golden people who are qualified, honest and truly patriot are badly needed for the purpose. Only a quality system of education can provide the country with such people. We are still maintaining the two century old British system of education that can never produce God-fearing, honest and patriotic citizens. This gap in education was exacerbated by the historic 1975 assassination. The introduction of the BAKSHAL in that year led to the grueling killing of Sheikh Mujib and his families. The countrymen felt relieved of the brunt of autocracy though in a very negative way. People brought out procession to celebrate the event. A number of significant political development took the country in different direction. Military rule gave way for democracy with most of the citizens still unsure of what was going to happen in near future. Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir was born in this perspective. Some enterprising thoughtful and courageous young people decided to initiate the activities of this student organization on Feb 06, 1977 from the central mosque of Dhaka University with the song
“পদ্মা মেঘনা যমুনার তীরে আমরা শিবির গড়েছি

শপথের সঙ্গীন হাতে নিয়ে সকলে নবীজীর রাস্তা ধরেছি”

[ We have set up our camp on the shore of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna and pledged to follow the path of the prophet (sm).]

Shibir started their activism with a view to achieving the satisfaction of Allah by reorganizing the entire human life according to the regulations given by Him and shown by His messenger (sm) with a five point scientific program. They took the programs of Dawat (invitation to Islam), Organization and Training on the basis of the historical Islamic movements. Movement for the change in education system and greater Islamic lifestyle in the country were targeted on the basis of the local context in Bangladesh. The journey of BICS was like a flash of light in deep darkness, a light of hope in midst of widespread pessimism. The organization spread the brilliance of hope and possibility among the people all strata. Very soon they became the single best organization of the Islam loving community throughout Bangladesh. BICS became an often uttered name in even every remote village of the nation. The fine programs of Shibir, open call to the students to the way of Allah, strong link of fraternity in the organization, nurturing the organized students through the enhancement of their knowledge, formation of good character and promotion of humane qualities, realizing the student rights in the academic institutions, providing assistance in building their career and a struggle to liberate them from exploitation, torture and servitude –all these have made Shibir as the biggest and the most popular student body in the country. The continuing success of Shibir can also be seen as a result of a group of young people who are always ready to sacrifice everything they have for the organization. Nothing can hold these young men back. The temptations of worldly life hardly make them tired. The earnest endeavours of these people have created a strong basis to this body in the last 35 years. Shibir: A name of an alternative system of education-

The traditional education here in the country is more or less designed to equip the students with knowledge and information required for the worldly success. It has failed to make honest citizens. Only the Quran and Hadith, if included in the syllabus, can make them so. This system produces a highly competitive, cruel, irresponsible, consumerist member of the society. The system dries up the humane feelings, sense of human welfare, fear of God and accountability in them. Over the past 34 years, Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir could fulfill the need for a national Islamic education system. But they have produced a host of young enlightened minds throughout the country. A separate set of people are being added to the nation everyday. Reading according to particular well-designed integrated syllabus, academic study, personal report, daily studying the Quran and Hadith along with its interpretations, reading Islamic literature and daily newspapers, daily five-time prayers and the end of the day critical reflection on day’s activities –all are contributing to the making of that illuminated man. Shibir has set up coaching centers in almost every university to make the admission seekers qualify for admission at the university. The best students of the university are generally the teachers here. Poor and meritorious students generally received coaching for free or at a very low cost. The continued success of these centers has endeared the organization to the students and guardians at the same time. Shibir has always encouraged meritorious and gifted students by according warm reception to them regularly as recognition is a must for the healthy and appropriate development of talents. Scholarships are also awarded to the poor and meritorious students in the management of Shibir. Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir has brought about a revolutionary positive change in the lives of many students who earlier endangered their career by addiction to drug, smoking and unfair means in the examinations. The biggest non-smoking and drug free organization in the country, Shibir started the non-smoking principle almost a quarter of century before the actual ban on by the govt in 2005. Unfair means in the exam was a very common feature in most of the exam halls in the country. But Shibir has a zero tolerance to this for its manpower. Through the programs of night prayer, Shibir has made a very successful attempt at creating God-fearing student community in Bangladesh. Shibir in nurturing and developing merit-

Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir searches, nurtures and develops the merit of students. Shibir organizes programs from the grassroots to the central level for this purpose. Different quiz competitions, merit test, conferences on career guidelines, computer fair, science fair, general knowledge circles, recitation competitions, cricket and football championships, interschool and intercolleg and interuniversity debate competitions are some of the major programs that this organization initiates for the promotion of merit in society. Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir is the only student body in the country, which has plethora of regular publications that include the Students’ Views, and Chhatra Sangbad. Scores of monthly, bimonthly and tri-monthly magazines in almost every major branch all over the country has made the options of writing available to many promising authors. Many of today’s great writers started their career by regularly contributing to these publications of Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir. The cultural assault on the country has made many people worried. But Shibir has gone a very long way in fighting cultural invasion. The organization has succeeded in creating more than 200 countrywide cultural groups who arrange workshops for promising artists, impart training to them and produce programs involving them. Staging dramas in public theatre, cultural festivals and musical evenings are some of the programs through which the culture of Bangladesh is promoted. Shibir has already produced thousands of video and audio cassettes of Islamic songs, patriotic songs, and traditional zari, vawaiya and vatiali songs. Shibir has also initiated a movement for implementing an alternative form of film making practices in the country. Shibir in national issues-

As a cluster of the spirited conscious youngsters, Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir has always exhibited an empathetic involvement with the nation. Natural Disasters-

Unfortunately, Bangladesh is one of the geographical regions afflicted with natural calamities. Floods, cyclones and tornados visit the country regularly. Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir has always stood by the side of the victims. The relief and medical team of Shibir has pioneered that role in several natural disasters like those 1988, 1991, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2007 in different parts of the country. Moreover, Shibir always distributes warm clothes for the needy people in bitter winter in every part of the country. Greater Political issues: Shibir has been playing a key role in the critical moments of the country’s politics. These key roles had significant effects on the future course of action of the national leaders. of General Ershad was toppled basically by the students. Shibir was a vital part of that movement. Shibir helped bring about a change in the country’s election of government in 1992 and 2001. Shibir has also organized events showing the position of true Islam against any kind of militancy that marked the years 2005 and 2006 in Bangladesh. National Policy-

Shibir has always voiced its concern over formational national policy on every important issue. The transit given to India in the name of Asian Highway, withdrawal of the military from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the govt support of the building of Tipaimukh Dam, and the India’s building the fences across the country –all received severe criticism form Shibir and other national bodies. Pilkhana tragedy Pilkhana tragedy on 25-26 Feb 2009 in BDR Headquarter is a resultant effect of continuous conspiracies from home and abroad to destroy the stability, peace and security of Bangladesh. It incurred huge losses of 58 talented military officers and their families. Such carnage is unprecedented in a war or in any other conflicts. Though ‘the operation dal-vat’ has been blamed for the massacre, no one can ignore the blueprint of the conspirators here. Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir vehemently protested against this killing and offered prayer for the departed souls. They also formed human chain to press home the demand for arresting and punishing those responsible. They also expressed their deep sympathy for the bereaved families. Shibir in International Issues-

Shibir is always aware of the policy ‘enemy to none and friends to every one’ in foreign affairs. But they think it is their moral duty to have an uncompromising attitude towards the injustice, opposition to the tyranny, and siding with the oppressed. In 1979, Shibir made organized protests of 20 thousands young people in Dhaka against the aggression of the Russia in Afghanistan in collaboration with the puppet government Barbak Karmal. Shibir has expressed their solidarity with the Palestinians soldiers through such demonstration. Even in 1991, the Shibir central president attended the Tehran Conference on Palestine issues. Shibir has taken side with fighting Kashmiris for autonomy. They have vehemently protested against the carnage and massacre of the Muslim in Bosnia. Shibir has always expressed opinions on the significant international issues affecting the Muslim Ummah. Iraq s invasion of Kuwait in 1991, 9/11 in the U.S. and Anglo-American invasion in Afghanistan and Iraq –all were protested by Shibir in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir has raised public awareness over the formation of a blasphemy law, organizaed movements against Rushdie’s Satanic Verses , Daud Haidr and Taslima Nasrin’s provocative writing against religion and Allah. Shibir has protested the destruction of Babri Mosque in Ajodhya, India, condemned the Ahmedabad riot there and did everything to stop the potential communal conflict in Bangladesh on these issues. Bangladesh Islamic Chhatrashibir: Some aspects of its traditions-

In the midst of no-student student politics in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir is the only organization in which no membership requires concrete studentship. Members of this organization are students first, then activists of the body. Since its inception in 1977, BICS has always practiced democracy in the internal election. Leaders are made without any campaign and internal feud, a characteristic that is highly lacking in all other student organizations in the country. Shibir leaders consider themselves highly responsible for many things. The struggle for power or top down leadership could not contaminate this group of highly dedicated people. BICS practices mohasaba, or constructive criticism at all levels creating a scope for critical reflections on party activities and behaviour of individual members at all tiers. Love of Allah and fraternity make this process highly useful and smooth. Any member who is found adopting unfair means in the exam immediately lose their membership in the organization in a country which until recently has suffered a major set back in its education system of the copying in the exam. Only true repentance and a promise from improved performance can re-earn them the membership. Shibir is responsible, careful and uncompromising in matters related to the violations of moral and religious obligations. This fact has helped come out responsible Muslim leaders fro the nation. No one is paid here for working with the organization. Rather everyone participates in it and has to pay subscription to the cause of the group. A sense of personal and financial sacrifice pervades this organization’s every supporter. . These are just some of the aspects of the traditions that Shibir has establsimed and has been maintaining for the last 34 years or so making it a unique student organization with outstanding success in all of its projects. Murder, terrorism and violence addressed by Shibir-

With a great Islamic society in view, Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir has tried to implement the policies of our great prophet Muhammad (s.m.) in the last 34 years of activism. As the Prophet faced the bloody opposition of those established in society, BICS has also experienced the same. Opposition to the activities of Shibir has taken different form in different times. Propaganda has been launched against the organization, its programs have been attacked, banning has been slapped sometimes, and sometimes direct physical assaults have been made to the leaders and activists personally. What Shibir has shown in the face of these opposition is tolerance, avoiding conflicts and at the last moment defensive actions. Shibir has never led any offensive against on anyone. On 28 October of 2006 the terrorist militant Awami League unleashed its blood-thirsty hounds on the innocent Shibir activists on the streets of Dhaka killing a number of Shibir leaders and injuring hundreds of them. That was a part of the series of killing experienced by Shibir in its 34 years of history. Some 133 students have lost their valuable lives in the process without even knowing what their offense is. Hundreds of them have been physically maimed by the enemy. These innocent young people did nothing had to suffer only because they belonged to a great group of people who have always made an earnest endeavour to bring about a positive change in society in the light of Islam. These young men met the worst part of their life but did not give up their unflinching faith in Allah. Closing remarks-

Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir is a name, a history and a group of adventurous journeymen in the way of Allah. Familial bonds or tempting world could rarely stop their enterprise. An irresistible desire for sacrifice and rewards by Allah has motivated their progress throughout. They are marching towards the pleasure of Allah with well informed programs at hand in the form of some light bearers in an unstoppable manner that reminds us of the lines from rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam:

“দুর্গম গিরি কান্তার মরু দুস্তর পারাবার হে!

লঙ্ঘিতে হবে রাত্রি নিশীথে যাত্রীরা হুঁশিয়ার।”

(Oh journeymen, be aware. You will have to cross wide seas, hot deserts and wild mountains at the dead of night!)


Programme-

01. To convey the message of Islam to the students and to inspire them to acquire Islamic knowledge and to arouse in them the sense of responsibility to practice Islam in full.

02. To organize the students within the fold of this organization who are prepared to take part in the struggle for establishing Islamic way of life.

03. To take appropriate steps to impart Islamic knowledge to make them men of character,capable to brave the challenges of Jahilyah and thus to prove the superiority of Islam.

04. To struggle for changing the existing system of education on the basis of Islamic values for building up ideal citizens and to provide leadership to the students in solving their genuine problems.

05. To strive to bring about Islamic social reformation for freeing humanity from all forms of economic exploitation,political oppression and cultural servitude.