Bangabandhu Research Centre for Islam and Interreligious Dialogue (BRCIID)

The Bangabandhu Research Centre for Islam and Inter-religious Dialogue (BRCIID) is designed by International Islamic University Chittagong Trust (IIUCT) in order to contribute to the original humanitarian welfare intention of world religions particularly of Islam through a deeper and mutual understanding of the great religions of the world. This centre is being initiated at the auspicious moment of the Celebration of Golden Jubilee of Independence of Bangladesh and the 100th Birth Anniversary of the father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This glorious moment with its breadth and depth demands critical reflections on the historical evolution of various religious communities particularly that of historically distinctive Bengali Muslim community as well as on the Bangabandhu’s life-long pursuit for non-communitarian and humanitarian ideals.

From a cursory observation it is evident that Bangladesh has an intrinsic relationship with Islam. This relationship is particularly characterized by the ideals of humanity, tolerance and justice propagated by medieval Muslim spiritual pioneers. Their deep care, apprehension and empathy for people irrespective of race, caste and religion have marked the very core of the personality of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Shéikh Mujibur Rahman. In the possible widest sense, the Liberation War of 1971 conceived his twin ideals of non-communitarianism and humanitarianism. As a person, he adhered to the religion of Islam very fondly and sincerely, but he had deep sympathy and respect for the people of all religions. The people of all communities, including Muslim-Hindu-Buddhist-Christian participated in the War of Liberation at his call.

A deep religious crisis is being experienced word-wide due to the loosening soundness of all religions owing to the thick encrustation of time-old outdated customs and usages around the pure doctrinal virtues, people’s reliance on a monolithic and literalist interpretation of the scriptural texts and the adoption of a particular interpretation as a wholesome ideology for the redemption of the world. On the top of it, the unprecedented scientific and technological development of this information age has blinded a great majority of human race to the virtues of morality and religion even though a deep-seated religious feeling resides at the core of every human heart.To reclaim these, we have to make a call to deluded and derailed literalist and truculent, peaceful and dialogue-loving people to the fold of moral and spiritual values. Thus, material facilities of religions have to be broadened.

The scriptural texts of great religions are invaluable treasures of wisdom and doctrinal aphorisms. They are deeply interspersed with ethical principles. The design of the Research Centre, therefore, envisages introducing the scholarly appraisal of these scriptural ethical principles.

At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, it has been observed throughout the world with dismay and apprehension that there is a serious lack of mutual understanding between the perspectives of two peoples or communities; i.e., between the religious and the atheist, between a Muslim and a Hindu, between a believer and an agonistic etc. The centre will work to foster respect for one another through dialogical initiatives. The more we understand one another’s religious perspective, its innate values and resultant traditions; the better will be our ability to work together.

The aims and objectives of the Centre:
(a) The Centre would be an ideal platform for disseminating scholarly ideas of Islam and other religions. In this regard, it will open the door for dialogue for creating just and fair societies locally and globally. People regardless of race, region, belief and religion will get the opportunity to exchange their views in dialogical initiatives, lectures, conferences, seminars and symposia;
(b) The Centre shall organize lectures, conferences, seminars and symposia; In Particular, the Centre shall organize Bangbandhu Memorial Lecture at regular intervals.
(c) The Centre shall publish books, monographs and pamphlets;
(d) The Centre shall establish a good research library;
(e) The Centre shall establish contact with similar centres, institutes and other organizations in and outside Bangladesh;
(f) The Centre shall institute scholarships, fellowships etc. for promotion of research;
(g) The Centre will execute any other function to be decided upon later keeping the aims and objectives of the Centre in view.

Board of Advisors:

Planning Committee :

Finance Committee of the Institute to prepare the annual budget estimates consisting of the following :