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Around 11pm, hundreds of students attacked the programme, witnesses say
Published : 09 Jan 2025, 09:45 PM
A Milad Mahfil, Dua, and Sama Qawwali programme at the shrine of Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA) in the heart of Mymensingh city has been disrupted by an attack by hundreds of madrasa students.
At night, they demolished a part of the 200-year-old shrine.
On Wednesday night, the incident drew strong condemnation and protests from the city's political leaders, cultural activists, and residents.
Witnesses say around 11pm, hundreds of students from the nearby Jamia Faizur Rahman (RA) Momenshahi Boro Masjid Madrasa attacked the Sama Qawwali programme in the city's Thana Ghat area.
The artistes narrowly escaped to save their lives.
The students vandalised the stage, canopy, and furniture.
Some students were injured while trying to intervene.
The police later arrived to control the situation, halting the music programme.
Around 3am, the madrasa students left after attacking, vandalising, and setting fire to the shrine.
On Thursday, devotees and supporters gathered at the site, expressing anger over the attack that occurred right near the police station.
Pir Baba Khalilur Rahman Chishti Nizami from the shrine said, “On Wednesday, a Milad was held after Maghrib prayers to mark the 179th urs of Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA).
“Following the Milad, a Sama Qawwali was arranged in a tent in front of the police station gate, drawing many devotees and supporters.
“Around 11pm, the OC, came and suddenly asked us to stop the event.
"Moments later, hundreds of madrasa students arrived, destroyed everything, and then left.
“Around 3am, the students returned, launching another attack, vandalising the shrine, and setting it on fire.”
Khalilur said, “We were delighted, such an incident has not occurred in 150 years. If they had simply asked us to stop, we would have shut everything down.
"Now, we have no choice but to seek justice. Let justice be served—that is our demand.”
Alam Chishti, the organiser of the shrine’s festival, added: “We have been holding Sama Qawwali events for many years. When the OC asked us to stop, we complied immediately. So why were we attacked, vandalised, and looted?
“The saints of Allah have always called people to religion and faith. We have done nothing against Islam. So why were we attacked like this?”
Baul Mizan Baula, a long-time performer at the annual festival, claims to have never encountered such a situation before.
When asked about the incident, Shahidul Islam, principal of Jamia Faizur Rahman (RA) Momenshahi Boro Masjid Madrasa, said: “The students are focused on preparing for exams and studying, often until 1am.
“There was loud music and dancing near the police station gate, which the students found unacceptable.”
“Later, some students went to stop it. When they returned, a few were beaten and threatened by locals.
"In anger, the students vandalised the shrine, but I only learnt about it this morning. We are trying to convince the students not to get involved in such incidents in the future.”
Kotwali Model Police Station OC Shafiqul Islam Khan said, “So far, no one has filed a complaint. We are investigating the matter.”
Many people have taken to social media to voice their opinions on the attack and vandalism on the shrine.
They are strongly condemning and protesting against such incidents.
Young poet Shamim Ashraf live-streamed the attack and vandalism at the Qawwali event on Facebook.
He said, “This is unacceptable in a city known for its art and culture. Everyone should be free to follow their ideology, but attacks and vandalism can never be the solution.”
Abul Kalam Al Azad, coordinator of the Brahmaputra Protection Movement, said: “We have been vocal about the issue on social media since last night. It was not right to vandalise the shrine after attacking and disrupting the event.
“This has become inhumane. “If you disagree with something, you can protest, but you cannot resort to attack. It creates social unrest, which is never desirable.”
District Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Abdul Karim said, “The incident is highly condemnable. We do not want the repetition of such an incident in Mymensingh city.”
