Published: 12:12 AM, 10 June 2026
JMB founder Shaikh Abdur Rahman's madrassa reopens
Banned militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) founder Shaikh Abdur Rahman's madrassa reopened at Jamalpur sadar upazila very recently. It happened very recently after the closure of the madrassa for 20 years taking advantage of the political transition in the country. Shaikh Abdur Rahman was hanged to death in 2007. His younger brother Obaidur Rahman is currently running the madrassa. Obaidur Rahman spent longer than 12 years in prison for militant connections. The madrassa is located around 15 kilometers away from Jamalpur town. Shaikh Abdur Rahman used to teach at Charshi Habibunnessa Hafizia Madrassa. Mass media reported on militant training in this madrassa when Shaikh Abdur Rahman was alive. This madrassa was founded during 1975 by Shaikh Abdur Rahman's father Abdullah Ibn Fazal alias Fazal Munshi. Shaikh Abdur Rahman's younger brother Ataur Rahman Sunny was another top-ranking militant leader.
JMB militants carried out ruthless murders in various parts of Bangladesh during 2003 and 2004. This extremist religious group was also responsible for the countrywide bombings on 17 August 2005. A lot of condemnation about Shaikh Abdur Rahman and his deputy Siddiqur Rahman Bangla Bhai was voiced at that time. Shaikh Abdur Rahman, Bangla Bhai, Khaled Saifullah and Salahuddin were later on arrested and sentenced to death. The executions of these self-proclaimed militant gangsters were materialized in March 2007.
The above madrassa closed down at that time. However, the activities of the madrassa restarted in 2025 following the regime change in August 2024. Obaidur Rahman is the Director of this madrassa. An individual called Zakaria Hossain is its Principal. Md. Aminul Islam, another theological teacher, is the madrassa's Vice Principal who hails from Tangail.
The madrassa compound includes an old mosque. There is also a half completed building, an office room and a few classrooms. Some students of the madrassa were seen this week. Assistant Teacher Mohammad Rakib informed that hundreds of pupils learn Bengali and Islam Studies in this madrassa. Shaikh Abdur Rahman's younger brother Obaidur Rahman told reporters that the madrassa receives financial aid from the government and local people.
