Six Shrines Attacked Across Bangladesh in Six Months

At least six shrines in Bangladesh came under attack during the first six months of this year (January 1-June 30), according to the Sufi heritage research organization Maqam (Center for Sufi Heritage). The organization also said that it identified one instance of police obstruction during an Urs celebration, one attempted attack on an Urs gathering, and one rumor of an attack during the same period.

In an earlier report, Maqam claimed that 97 shrines across Bangladesh had come under attack during the 17 months following the July uprising, from August 2024 onward. That report covered incidents that occurred between August 5, 2024, and December 31, 2025. The organization has now published data on attacks reported between January and June 2026.

The findings appeared in a semiannual report titled ‘Attacks on Shrines in Bangladesh in 2026 (January–June)’, released Wednesday evening. The report said it compiled information from media reports, video footage, administrative records, and statements from relevant individuals.

Maqam said the document is not an investigative report but rather an attempt to present an overall picture of shrine-related incidents during the reporting period. Executive Director Mohammad Abu Saeed said, “Attacks on shrines amount to attacks on Bangladesh’s history, heritage, culture, and communal harmony.” He called for proper investigations into the incidents, swift prosecution of those involved, rehabilitation of damaged shrines and spiritual centers, and effective government measures to preserve religious harmony.

According to the report, the most serious incident occurred on April 11 at the Darbar Sharif of Pir Abdur Rahman, also known as Shamim Baba, in Philipnagar of Daulatpur Upazila in Kushtia. A group of agitated people attacked the shrine, vandalized property, and set parts of the compound on fire after alleging desecration of the Quran. The attack killed Pir Shamim and seriously injured two of his followers. The report claimed the incident caused losses estimated at around Tk 2 million. Authorities later filed a case and arrested several suspects based on the investigation.

The report also documented an attack on a Baul music gathering during an Urs celebration at the shrine of Hazrat Ibrahim Shah in Biswanath, Sylhet; a coordinated nighttime attack on the shrine of Shah Ali Baghdadi (RA) in Mirpur, Dhaka; two separate attacks on the shrine of Hazrat Shah Rauf (RA) in Daulatpur, Kushtia; an attack and vandalism centered on a grave at Habib Shah’s Darbar in Barishal; and the desecration of the shrine of Hazrat Shah Mia Shah (RA) in Raozan, Chattogram through the throwing of shoes and cow dung.

The report further included incidents involving police obstruction of an Urs celebration at the High Court shrine in the capital, an attempted attack on the shrine of Hazrat Qasim Uddin Shah (RA) in Rupganj, Narayanganj, and rumors of an attack surrounding the shrine of Hazrat Shah Solaiman (RA), also known as Lengta Baba, in Shariatpur.

According to Maqam’s analysis, conflicts over religious beliefs, local disputes, efforts carried out in the name of controlling drugs and gambling, and competition for control of shrine-related property played significant roles behind the attacks.

Maqam claimed that allegations of involvement by leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, emerged in at least two major incidents. The report also mentioned allegations against local leaders and activists of Khelafat Majlis in one case. It included statements from the political parties concerned, which denied the allegations and described them as politically motivated.

The report also stated that in most cases, members of the administration were present at or near the scene but failed to play an effective role in preventing the attacks. Authorities later filed cases, analyzed video footage, and conducted arrest operations in some incidents. According to the report, authorities have so far arrested a total of seven people in connection with two cases.

The report emphasized the need for an active role by law enforcement agencies, speedy trials, and greater public awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future.