Inception of correct Quran Recitation and Qira’at in Bangladesh and history of establishing ‘Institute of Quranic Science and Phonetics Bangladesh (معهد القراءات بنغلاديش)’ :
The Institute of Quranic Science and Phonetics Bangladesh (معهد القراءات بنغلاديش) is the first and only one distinct Qira’at Institution in Bangladesh. It was established in September, 1971.
The renowned Islamic scholar and great spiritual Saint of the Subcontinent Hazrat Mawlana Qari Muhammadullah Hafezzi Huzur (Rah.), and another Islamic scholar of the then East Pakistan (Bangladesh) Hazrat Mawlana Mufti Deen Muhammad Khan (Rah.) both of them dreamt the teaching of the Holy Quran by spreading the melody of correct recitation in every house of each region in Bangladesh.
With an objective to implement their dream, whenever they used to meet the renowned Quran Reciter of the Continent of Asia, Hazrat Mawlana Qari Muhammad Yusuf (Rah.) in various programs in West Pakistan, both of them used to advice him to come to East Pakistan and start teaching the correct recitation and Qira’at.
Hazrat Mawlana Qari Muhammad Yusuf (Rah.) was born in Chattogram, the then Indian Subcontinent (Bangladesh). Later he settled in Karachi (West Pakistan) after completion of his student life. He participated in the “3rd International Qira’at Competition” held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1963 and was awarded Gold Medal (2nd position) being the first and last person till now from South Asia. He was a Qari of Karachi Radio and Pakistan Television (PTV). Due to his regular recitation on Radio Karachi and PTV, he became widely known throughout the Asian Continent. He participated in several International Qira’at Conferences/Seminars at different countries.
Even after the request of Hazrat Mawlana Qari Muhammadullah Hafezzi Huzur (Rah) and Hazrat Mawlana Mufti Deen Muhammad Khan (Rah), Hazrat Mawlana Qari Muhammad Yusuf (Rah.) could not come to East Pakistan (Bangladesh) due to his responsibility with Karachi Radio and PTV and his involvements in various activities as an Executive member of the world’s renowned Quran Reciter’s Association ‘IQRA’.
Qari Muhammad Yusuf was one of the leading conveners of the conference that took place on ‘Six Point’s Movement’ at Lahore & Nishtar Park, Karachi in 1966 where Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman graced the great gathering as the Chief Guest. Qari Muhammad Yusuf was one of the organizers of liberation war during 1971 while living in Karachi. He was suspended from Karachi Radio and Pakistan Television for his active participation and engagement in the organization of liberation war of Bangladesh. His properties and assets were confiscated and an arrest of warrant was issued against him by the Pakistani Government. Then he abandoned everything and returned to Bangladesh.
In September 1971, the first and only one distinct Qira’at Institute of Bangladesh “Madrasa Darul Quran” was established at Urdu Road Jame Masjid by the initiative of Hazrat Mawlana Qari Muhammadullah Hafezzi Huzur (Rah.), Hazrat Mawlana Mufti Deen Muhammad Khan (Rah.), Hafez Mawlana Meer Ahmad (Rah.) and Hazrat Mawlana Qari Muhammad Yusuf (Rah.). At the time of establishment, Khatib-e-Azam Mawlana Siddiq Ahmad (Rah.) was present in the inauguration. At the beginning of the institution, the pioneer of Nurani Quran education system in Bangladesh, Hazrat Mawlana Belayet Hussain (Rah.) joined ‘Madrasa Darul Quran’ as a teacher.
In 1972, Mawlana Qari Muhammad Yusuf was appointed as the Chief Qari (شيخ القراء) of Bangladesh attached to Bangladesh Radio and Television by the Hon. President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman.
After 3 years of establishment, the activities of the Institution were transferred from Urdu Road Jame Masjid to Chowk Bazar Shahi Masjid. The renowned Qari of Bangladesh Mawlana Qari Muhammad Ubaydullah (Rah) joined as a teacher at that time.
Later, by early 80’s, with the advise of Hazrat Mawlana Qari Muhammadullah Hafezzi Huzur (Rah.), Shaikhul Qurra Qari Muhammad Yusuf (Rah.) transferred the activities of the Institution to Lalbagh Killarmor Makki Masjid.
Madrasa Darul Quran was changed into the name Ma’hadul Qira’at Bangladesh (Institute of Quranic Science & Phonetics Bangladesh) in 2003 through the congregation prayer of Shaikhul Hadith Allama Azizul Haque (Rah.) and Allama Ubaydul Haque (Rah.), Khatib of Baitul Mukarrram National Masjid. The activities of Ma’hadul Qira’at Bangladesh was run until 2012 at Killarmor Makki Masjid. At present its activities has been operational at Lalbagh Masjidul Gofur as a residential institute.
Due to the ailment of Shaikhul Qurra Qari Muhammad Yusuf during 2012, the responsibility of the Institute of Quranic Science & Phonetics Bangladesh was bestowed to his able son Sheikh Qari Ahmad Bin Yusuf Al Azhari as the Director. Sheikh Qari Ahmad Bin Yusuf Al Azhari is the leading most outstanding Quran Reciter in the world who studied Quranic Phonetics and Philology (10 Readings/ Qira’at Ashara) at Al Azhar in Egypt and got the certificate of highest degree in Qira’at Ashara.
Institute of Quranic Science & Phonetics Bangladesh is the first and foremost Institute that teaches Holy Quran through online to numerous learners around the world. At present overseas students have been learning recitation along with the national students.
At the advent of establishment of the Institution many apprentice Qari’s, Islamic scholars from different regions, Imam and Khatib of Masjid’s and the teachers of many Institutions’s along with the general learner/reciters learnt the correct recitation from the holy Quran under the apprenticeship of Imamul Qurra Qari Muhammadd Yusuf (Rah.) at Ma’hadul Qira’at Bangladesh.