FOUNDATION OF RELIGIOUS LIBERALISM IN BANGLADESH: CONTRIBUTION OF BANGABANDHU SHEIKH MUJIBUR RAHMAN AND AWAMI LEAGUE

Abstract

The Father of the Nation Bangabandu^[1] Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1920-1975) is the great architect and the immortal morphologist of a new map of independent Bangladesh. During his rule, he took various steps for the welfare of the country and the nation. He took realistic and effective measures to propagate Islam because of the economic, social and physical infrastructural measures in it, keeping in mind the religious sentiments and values of the people of the Muslim majority in Bangladesh.  The outstanding contribution he has made to spread Islam, the promotion and establishment of Islamic values ​​during his reign has become a rare example in the contemporary Muslim world. He was always trying to make Bangladesh a country of peace for all people of all religions. He is not only a great architect of an independent sovereign state but also, he is the architect of spreading Islam under government-sponsored Bangladesh. Especially by establishing the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, he provided a solid institutional basis for the spread of Islam. He gave greater importance to all citizens who have equal rights regardless of religion and have been an assurance of all religions, which serves as a protector against intolerance when drafting the constitution of Bangladesh. However, the research tries to highlight how Bangabandhu contributed to reducing the religious hatred and extremism, fanaticism, and fundamentalism and establishing peaceful co-existence of various cultures and religions among the people of Bangladesh. Therefore, the result of my study shows how the role of  Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his Awami league is establishing or has contributed in establishing status equality, love, promote religious cohesion, tolerance, and brotherhood among the masses and taught people to respect each other's religion, emotions, and practices in Bangladesh.