HC stays decision to dissolve governing bodies of Fazil and Kamil madrasas

The High Court has stayed a decision to dissolve the governing bodies of Fazil and Kamil madrasas across the country and attach those to the Islamic Arabic University.

The High Court bench comprising Justice Shikder Mahmudur Razi and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the order on Monday (2 November).

Advocate Parvez Hossain appeared for the petitioner during the hearing.

On 19 October, the Islamic Arabic University (IAU) authorities had dissolved the governing bodies of all Fazil and Kamil madrasas across the country. The decision was announced in an office order signed by the university’s registrar, Professor Dr A K Muhammed Nurul Islam.

According to the order, the decision to dissolve the governing bodies of Fazil and Kamil madrasas affiliated with the IAU was taken at the university’s 43rd Syndicate meeting, held on 15 October.

It also stated that, under clauses (1)(b) and (3) of the Islamic Arabic University Third Statute 2023, nominations had been made for the formation of ad hoc committees. Deputy commissioners of the respective districts were nominated as chairmen for madrasas located in district headquarters, while additional deputy commissioners were nominated for those outside district headquarters.

District education officers were nominated as education-minded members at the district level, and upazila secondary education officers at the upazila level.

The madrasas were also instructed to submit proposals for approval of their ad hoc committees, using the prescribed forms in accordance with the regulations, as soon as possible.