Abdul Malek becomes new Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque

He will replace the incumbent Khatib Waliur Rahman

Mufti Abdul Malek, an Islamic law and Hadith scholar, has been appointed as the Khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced his appointment in a statement on Friday.

He replaces Waliur Rahman, who took the reins after Khatib Ruhul Amin disappeared following the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5.

Born in Monoharganj in Cumilla's Laksam Upazila, Malek previously served as a member of the Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasa Education Commission from 2012 to 2017.

He holds multiple degrees in Islamic studies, Hadith, and Fiqh from renowned educational institutions both domestically and internationally, according to the ministry.

Malek studied under Mufti Justice Twaki Osmani and conducted a two-year research project in Hadith and Islamic law under Prof Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Guddah at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, a top scholar in the Arab world.

After the overthrow of the Awami League government by a student-led mass uprising, the then Khatib Ruhul Amin went into hiding. Since then, Waliur Rahman has been performing the duties of the Khatib.

On Sept 20, Ruhul Amin suddenly reappeared at Baitul Mukarram, sparking tensions among devotees during Jummah prayers at the mosque.

A clash erupted between supporters of the two Khatibs as the two sides hurled shoes at each other and vandalised the national mosque.

The religious affairs ministry suspended Khatib Ruhul Amin two days after the incident.