Tk 70 lakh 88 thousand found in donation boxes at Shahjalal's Shrine

After counting the money from the donation boxes and cauldrons (deg) at the historic shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) in Sylhet, a total of Tk 70,88,672 was found. The donation boxes and cauldrons were opened for counting today (Saturday) after 34 days. During this time, a significant amount of foreign currency, as well as gold and silver, were also found.

The counting process began around 10:30 AM on Saturday when three cauldrons and three large donation boxes at the shrine were opened. About 30 volunteers participated in the work throughout the day. After a long counting process, the formal conclusion came around 6:15 PM in the evening.

After the counting, those concerned said that the amount of cash deposited in the donation boxes and cauldrons over 34 days was Tk 70,88,672. Along with this, 2 bhori 1 rati of gold and 1 bhori 2 anna of silver were found.

Various foreign currencies were also found in the donation boxes. These included:
UK: 31.11 Pounds, India: 3,248 Rupees, Pakistan: 60 Rupees, Saudi Arabia: 70 Riyals, Malaysia: 83 Ringgit, USA: 4 Dollars, Nepal: 100 Rupees, Oman: 1 Rial, UAE: 64 Dirhams 22 Cents, Iraq: 250 Dinars, Turkey: 90 Lira, Vietnam: 1,000 Dong, Japan: 1,000 Yen, Qatar: 112 Riyals and 50 dirhams, Lebanon: 10 Pounds, Egypt: 10 Pounds, 40 Cents Euro, Bahrain: 1 fil, Canada: 1 Dollar.

In addition, various letters and other items were also found in the donation boxes. It is known that records of cows, goats, ducks, and chickens given as offerings (nazrana) to the shrine are also maintained by the authorities.

Earlier this year, the money from the shrine's donation boxes and cauldrons was counted on two occasions. On June 22 and July 11, the locks on these donation boxes and cauldrons were opened in public and the money was counted. The volume of money was deposited into the shrine's designated bank account.

After the last counting on July 11, the donation boxes and cauldrons were opened again on Saturday after 34 days. This time too, the counting process was completed in public.

People's Heartfelt Words Found in Shahjalal's Shrine Donation Boxes

When donation boxes are opened, one usually sees money and coins. But when the donation boxes at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) in Sylhet were opened, they also revealed people's heartfelt words. Along with a huge amount of money, several letters were found—reflecting the devotees' personal sorrows, aspirations, and prayers.

Among them, a letter written by a woman named Hena caught special attention. She prayed to Allah with a plea to bring her husband back from drugs and the wrong path.

These letters were found today (Saturday) morning after the donation boxes and donation cauldrons at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) were opened. Among the letters written by devotees expressing various aspirations and innermost thoughts, Hena's letter came into particular discussion.

In the letter, Hena pleaded with Allah to bring her husband back from the wrong path. She also prayed for the judgment of those who led her husband astray and for the elimination of drugs from the world.

Hena wrote in her letter: "O Allah, I am expressing the sorrows of my heart at the shrine of your saint (Wali). O Allah, judge those who have led my husband to the wrong path. May no one suffer as I do. O Allah, rid the world of drugs. —Hena."

A few lines of the letter reflected personal life struggles, concern for her husband, and a woman's plea against drugs. These letters found in the donation boxes have brought forward not only money but also various stories of people's lives.