Chattogram, Bangladesh — August 25, 2026: The 56th International Mahfil-e-Seeratunnabi (PBUH), a 19-day religious programme held in Chunati village under Lohagara Upazila of Chattogram, formally began on Tuesday, August 25, at the Chunati Shah Manzil Seerat Maidan.
The historic Mahfil was originally introduced by the renowned Islamic scholar of Chunati, Hazrat Maulana Hafez Ahmad (Rah.), popularly known as Shah Saheb Qibla Chunati. Continuing the long-standing tradition, this year's programme began after Zuhr prayer with Qur'an recitation, devotional performances and scholarly discussions on the life, teachings and Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The opening session was presided over by Alhaj Maulana Muhammad Hafizul Islam Abul Kalam Azad, President of the Mahfil Mutawalli Committee. Alhaj Maulana Dr. Syed Muhammad Abu Noman, former Principal of Baitush Sharaf Adarsha Kamil Madrasa, attended the inaugural session as a distinguished guest.
The discussion session was moderated by Maulana Faruk Hossain, Principal of Chunati Hakimia Kamil Madrasa.
During the first session, speakers discussed different stages of the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), including his birth, childhood, youth, pre-prophetic life, family background and the social environment of Arabia at the time. The scholars also highlighted various aspects of the Prophet's character, ideals and guidance for humanity.
Alhaj Maulana Zainul Abedin, Assistant Professor of Cox's Bazar Tafhimul Quran Alim Madrasa, delivered a discussion on the scheduled topic, “The Birth of Muhammadur Rasulullah (PBUH), His Life Before Prophethood and the Social Status of His Family.”
The second session was presided over by Alhaj Maulana Hamed Hasan, Principal of Salima Siraj Women's Fazil Madrasa.
The scheduled topic for the session, “Prophecies of Earlier Prophets and Messengers Regarding the Arrival of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” was discussed by Maulana Ashraful Mostafa bin Nuri, Assistant Superintendent of Chakaria Mishkatul Millat Dakhil Madrasa.
Other speakers included Hafez Maulana Maher Shams, Lecturer at Lohagara Barahatia Eshaatul Uloom Fazil Madrasa; Alhaj Maulana Rafiq Ullah Miazi, Khatib of Chattogram Metropolitan Hospital Jame Mosque; and Alhaj Maulana Shahadat Hossain, Principal of Lohagara Amirabad Sufia Fazil Madrasa.
In their respective discussions, the speakers addressed the status and dignity of the Ahl al-Bayt and the Sahabah, the beginning of divine revelation to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the reaction of contemporary Arab society to his message, and several other important aspects of the Seerah.
A number of religious scholars, members of the Mahfil management committee, social leaders and distinguished guests attended the opening-day programme.
Among those present were Shahzada Maulana Abdul Malek Muhammad Ibn Dinar Najat, Organising Secretary of the Mahfil Mutawalli Committee; committee members Alhaj Abu Taher, Alhaj Ismail Manik and H. M. Mahabubul Haque; noted social worker Alhaj Abdus Shukur; Maulana Mahmudul Haque, former Principal of Sitakunda Alia Kamil Madrasa; Maulana Momtaz Uddin, President of Anjuman-e-Tolaba-e-Sabekin, Chunati Hakimia Kamil Madrasa; former Secretary Maulana Oliuddin Mohammad; Shahzada Tayyabul Haque Bedar; and Saifuddin Mohammad Tarek, along with other organisers, scholars and community representatives.
At the beginning of the programme, a Pesh Kalam was presented by Alhaj Maulana Hafizul Islam Nizami, a member of the Mutawalli Committee, Khalifa Mujaz of Chunati Tariqat-e-Mujaddedia and a madrasa principal.
Alhaj Mustak Ahmad, former President of the Cox's Bazar Shop Owners' Federation, attended the programme as a special guest, together with prominent representatives from different professions and sections of society.
The Holy Qur'an was recited by Masud Hasan Kamal Fayaz and Muhammad Abdul Ahad. Takrim Khan Siddiqui, Talha bin Dawood Adib and Ahsan Ullah Tamin presented Na'at-e-Rasul (PBUH) during the programme.
The opening day marked the beginning of the 19-day 56th International Mahfil-e-Seeratunnabi (PBUH), during which scholars and religious speakers are expected to discuss different chapters of the life, mission, teachings, character and legacy of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through a series of scheduled sessions in Chunati.
PT/Gn
