Bangladesh’s Islamic Foundation has formed a new Board of Governors, adding three Islamic scholars as governors. The Religious Affairs Ministry’s Agency-1 branch issued a notification on Tuesday, September 1, under Section 6(1) of the Islamic Foundation Act, 1983, by order of the President. The new appointees are Mufti Monir Hossain Qasemi, Mufti Azharul Islam and Mufti Sharif Ullah.

The Religious Affairs Minister will serve as board chair by virtue of office. The University Grants Commission chairman, Religious Affairs Ministry secretary, Islamic University vice-chancellor, Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board chairman and Islamic Foundation director general will also serve as ex officio governors. The director general will act as member-secretary. Two government-nominated lawmakers, State Minister for Religious Affairs and Gaibandha-4 MP Mohammad Shamim Qaiser, and Cox’s Bazar-4 MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, were included.

Five scholars were nominated from among prominent Muslim scholars and religious theorists, with three receiving new responsibilities. Existing members include Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh secretary general Maulana Mahfuzul Haque and Maulana Syed Md Mosaddeq Billah Al Madani. Non-ex officio governors will serve for three years from the notification date, subject to government replacement or vacancy decisions.