Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Ziri

Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Ziri, widely known as Ziri Madrasa, is a Qawmi madrasa in Ziri Union of Patiya Upazila in the Chittagong region of Bangladesh. Founded in 1910 by Shah Ahmad Hasan, it developed from a small local teaching initiative into one of the older and larger institutions associated with Bangladesh’s Qawmi madrasa tradition. Its educational identity is rooted in traditional Islamic scholarship, particularly Arabic studies, Qur’anic education, Hadith, tafsir, fatwa, qira’at, and related disciplines. The institution’s origins are linked to discussions between Shah Ahmad Hasan, then studying at Darul Uloom Hathazari, and Ashraf Ali, a tutor in his household. They intended to establish a madrasa that would provide religious education in their community. Teaching initially took place in makeshift premises near a bamboo bridge in Kayagram, with a small group of teachers covering Arabic and general instruction. The institution moved several times during its early years because of practical constraints, limited resources, and storm damage. Shah Ahmad Hasan eventually purchased land, excavated a pond, organized community fundraising, and financed reconstruction when local buildings were destroyed. The madrasa ultimately settled at its present site near the current mosque. Ziri Madrasa introduced the Dawra-e-Hadith program in 1920. This is the highest level of traditional Hadith study in the Qawmi curriculum, and the first Sheikh al-Hadith was Abdul Wadud Sandapi, a scholar associated with Darul Uloom Deoband who taught at the institution for many decades. The program helped establish the madrasa as a center for advanced Islamic learning. Its successive Hadith scholars included Abdul Wadud Sandapi, Saleh Ahmad, Nurul Haque, Hafez Ahmadullah, Ishaq Rangunbi, Ishaq Kanaimadari, and Musa Sandapi. The institution was led by Shah Ahmad Hasan until 1967, after which Nurul Haque became its head. Following Nurul Haque’s death in 1987, Shah Muhammad Tayyab assumed leadership and oversaw a period of institutional expansion. During his tenure, the madrasa added specialized departments, expanded its buildings, developed a library and technical training facilities, established a hospital offering free care, and maintained a khanqah for spiritual instruction. Its activities also broadened beyond classroom teaching through publication, welfare, community construction, outreach, and student cultural programs. Its present educational structure includes an Islamic kindergarten, Tahfizul Qur’an instruction, the principal Kitab division covering multiple stages of traditional study, and one-year specializations in fatwa, qira’at, and Arabic literature. The institution also provides technical instruction in areas such as computing, electrical work, bookbinding, tailoring, and calligraphy. A literary and cultural division organizes recitation, debate, poetry, essay, and seminar activities. The Sharjah Charity Hospital provides treatment and basic medicines to students, while the Ziri Welfare Society supports community projects and disadvantaged families. Ziri Madrasa also exercises educational influence through a network of institutions established under its patronage or inspired by its scholarly tradition in southeastern Bangladesh. It publishes the annual magazine Al-Hasan and several Arabic and Bengali wall magazines. After Shah Muhammad Tayyab died in 2020, his son Khubayb bin Tayyab became Director-General. Musa Sandapi is the current Sheikh al-Hadith. The institution remained active in public religious programming, including its 118th International Islamic Conference in November 2024.

The institution began as a community religious-education project associated with Shah Ahmad Hasan and Ashraf Ali. While studying at Darul Uloom Hathazari, Shah Ahmad Hasan discussed with Ashraf Ali the need for an institution devoted to Islamic learning. Their first classes were held in a small makeshift location near a bamboo bridge in Kayagram. Early teachers included Abdul Bari and Dalilur Rahman, who helped provide Arabic and general instruction. After Shah Ahmad Hasan completed his studies, he and Ashraf Ali considered moving the madrasa to a more practical site near Chandpur Road. Shah Ahmad Hasan financed the relocation, acquired land, excavated a pond, and arranged construction. A storm destroyed the first mud structure, and the founders faced difficulty securing renewed local support. Shah Ahmad Hasan sold part of his land to fund a bamboo reconstruction. Community confidence increased after an Eid prayer was organized, and students were moved to the rebuilt premises. Following further storm damage, the madrasa was transferred to the location it occupies today, where teaching initially took place beneath a peanut tree before a bamboo structure was erected. Shah Ahmad Hasan directed the madrasa from its foundation until 1967. Nurul Haque then led it until 1987, when Shah Muhammad Tayyab became Director-General. Under Shah Muhammad Tayyab, Ziri Madrasa expanded its curriculum and physical facilities. It developed advanced studies in tafsir, fatwa, and qira’at, as well as a computer training center, a free-care hospital, a khanqah, new classroom buildings, a larger mosque, a guest house, and a Darul Hadith building. The institution marked its centenary in 2007. Shah Muhammad Tayyab died in 2020, after which his son Khubayb bin Tayyab became the fourth Director-General. Dawra-e-Hadith was introduced in 1920 under Abdul Wadud Sandapi, the first Sheikh al-Hadith. The program became a central part of the madrasa’s scholarly identity. Later Sheikh al-Hadiths included Saleh Ahmad, Nurul Haque, Hafez Ahmadullah, Ishaq Rangunbi, Ishaq Kanaimadari, and Musa Sandapi, who is identified as the current holder of the office. The modern institution combines traditional studies with supporting educational and social functions. Its departments include an Islamic kindergarten, Tahfizul Qur’an, the multi-level Kitab division, and specialized courses in fatwa, qira’at, and Arabic literature. Students and teachers have access to a multilingual religious library. Cultural activities include recitation, debate, poetry, essay writing, and regular seminars. Technical instruction covers computing, electrical work, bookbinding, tailoring, and calligraphy. The madrasa’s service activities include the Sharjah Charity Hospital, which provides daily treatment and basic medicines without charge for a limited period, and the Ziri Welfare Society, which supports mosque and madrasa construction, wells, ponds, and assistance for disadvantaged families. Its publication division issues Al-Hasan annually and produces Arabic and Bengali wall magazines. Its Da’wah and Guidance Division supports religious outreach and spiritual activity through a khanqah. Ziri’s influence extends through educational institutions established under its patronage or scholarly influence in southeastern Bangladesh. The madrasa continues to function as a center for Qawmi education, religious scholarship, community service, and Islamic public programming.

• 2024

  118th International Islamic Conference

  [1]Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Zirien.wikipedia.org

  The institution held its 118th International Islamic Conference in November.

• 2020

  Khubayb bin Tayyab appointed Director-General

  [1]Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Zirien.wikipedia.org

  Khubayb bin Tayyab succeeded his father, Shah Muhammad Tayyab, after the latter’s death.

• 2007

  Centenary observance

  [1]Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Zirien.wikipedia.org

  The madrasa celebrated its 100th anniversary.

• 1987

  Shah Muhammad Tayyab becomes Director-General

  [1]Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Zirien.wikipedia.org

  Shah Muhammad Tayyab assumed leadership and oversaw substantial academic, infrastructural, charitable, and organizational development.

• 1967

  Leadership passes from the founder

  [1]Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Zirien.wikipedia.org

  After Shah Ahmad Hasan’s period of leadership, Nurul Haque became head of the madrasa.

• 1920

  Dawra-e-Hadith introduced

  [1]Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Zirien.wikipedia.org

  The madrasa began its advanced Dawra-e-Hadith program, with Abdul Wadud Sandapi as the first Sheikh al-Hadith.

• 1910

  Madrasa founded

  [1]Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Zirien.wikipedia.org

  Shah Ahmad Hasan established the institution after acquiring land and organizing local support for a permanent madrasa in Ziri.

A long-established Qawmi madrasa combining traditional Islamic scholarship with Qur’anic education, community services, charitable healthcare, publications, and selected technical training.

• Advanced Islamic studies · 1920

  Dawra-e-Hadith

  The madrasa’s advanced Hadith program, introduced in 1920, represents the highest level of traditional Qawmi curriculum described in the reference material. It forms a core part of the institution’s scholarly identity and is taught under the supervision of a Sheikh al-Hadith.

• Traditional Islamic education

  Kitab division

  The main academic division provides a progression of traditional Islamic studies spanning five levels, from primary instruction through postgraduate study. Its curriculum supports sustained study of religious texts and Arabic-language scholarship.

• Qur’anic education

  Tahfizul Qur’an program

  A Qur’an memorization program operating alongside the madrasa’s broader religious curriculum. It is complemented by qira’at instruction and other forms of Qur’anic study.

• Specialized Islamic studies

  Specialized religious programs

  One-year specialist courses are offered in fatwa, Qur’anic recitation, and Arabic literature, extending the institution’s curriculum beyond its general Kitab and Hadith tracks.

• Charitable healthcare

  Sharjah Charity Hospital

  A charitable healthcare facility established during Shah Muhammad Tayyab’s leadership. The hospital provides treatment and basic medicines to students and is described as offering daily medical services without charge for a limited period.

• Religious publications

  Al-Hasan and wall magazines

  The publication division produces the annual Al-Hasan magazine along with Arabic wall magazines, including Al-Tayyab and Al-Noor, and the Bengali wall magazine Al-Abrar.

• 2020

  Leadership succession after Shah Muhammad TayyabOther

  Background

  Shah Muhammad Tayyab died after leading the institution for more than three decades.

  Action taken

  His son Khubayb bin Tayyab, who had previously served as Assistant Director, became Director-General.

  Aftermath

  Khubayb bin Tayyab became the institution’s fourth Director-General.

  Source

• 1987

  Expansion under Shah Muhammad TayyabStrategy

  Background

  After assuming leadership, Shah Muhammad Tayyab pursued broader academic, infrastructural, charitable, and community functions.

  Action taken

  The madrasa added advanced departments, technical training, a hospital, a khanqah, expanded buildings, and publication and welfare activities.

  Aftermath

  Ziri Madrasa developed into a more diversified educational and social institution.

  Source

• 1920

  Launch of Dawra-e-Hadith educationStrategy

  Background

  The institution sought to strengthen its role in advanced traditional Islamic scholarship.

  Action taken

  It introduced the Dawra-e-Hadith program under Abdul Wadud Sandapi.

  Aftermath

  The program became a central element of the madrasa’s academic identity.

  Source

1. 1Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Zirien.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official website of Al-Jameatul Arabiatul Islamia Zirijamiaislamiaziri.org