DHAKA, June 17, 2023 (BSS) - The incumbent imam of Maizbhadar Darbar Sayeed Saifuddin Ahmed was accorded a civic reception today for being conferred with a honourary doctoral degree for his literary works on universal peace and brotherhood by UK-based International Academy of Sufi Scholars recently. 

Different socio-cultural and political organizations gave reception to him at a programme titled 'Sufi Joti' (The enlightenment of Sufi), organised by Nagorik Songbordhona Committee at the auditorium of capital's Engineers Institute.

With convener of the reception committee and Global University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Anisuzzaman, the programme was attended by Jatiya Party (JP) Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Islami Ganatantrik Party chairman M A Awal, Chittagong University Professor Dr Jinbodhi Bhikkhu and former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Prof. Dr. Md. Shahidullah Sikder.

Jatiyo Party presidium member Sadek Siddique, Krishok Sromik party chairman Farah Naz Hoque Chowdhury, Jatiya Oikyafront leader Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, Engineer Fazlul Hoque, Khalifa Mohammad Iqbal Resulpuri and Mainia Youth Forum president Syed Mehbub-E-Mainuddin, among others, also spoke on the occasion.

Sayeed Saifuddin Ahmed said people are not created for religion but religion has come for welfare of the people. Humanitarian activities and people's welfare oriented tasks can make people closer to the almighty Allah.

Sufibad has been working to establish peace worldwide showing utmost respect to each religion, he said, adding, "Any efforts tries to tarnish the dignity of one's religion can never make other religion happy rather showing respect to others will uphold the dignity of your religion".

Sufibad can be a solution to remove anarchy and instability of the society and make the society, the country as well as the globe a prosperous and beautiful one, he added.

Jatiya Party (JP) Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam congratulated Darbar Sayeed Saifuddin Ahmed for the achievement and said through Sufism, Islam was spread not only to the country but also to the Indian sub-continent and has been working to spread the message of peace throughout the world.

The decay of morality, corruption, irregularities and reckless lifestyle are destroying the social stability and creating crisis, he said, adding, "The Sufism can play an effective role to improve the situation of the society".
 
Former BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Shahidullah Sikder said, "In true sense, those who are working for Sufism are working for the welfare of human being. Being conferred with doctoral degree for inter-religious harmony is something special than any other conventional degree".

Organisations participated in the reception include Bangladesh Supreme Party, Krishak Sramik Janata party, National Awami Party (Bhashani), Islami Gonotantrik Party, Bangladesh Islamic Gonotantrik League, Gano Forum, Bangladesh Democratic Party (BDP), Bangladesh Jonomot Party, Anjumane Rahmania Mainia Maizbhandaria, Inter Religion Harmony Society, Maimia Jatiya Gonomaddhom Forum, Ahle Sunnat Jubo Parishad and Mainia Youth Forum.