Government Forms Committee to Oversee Financial Transparency at Shahjalal Shrine

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The government has formed a 12-member committee, headed by Commerce and Industries Minister Khondokar Abdul Muqtadir, to oversee the financial management and operational transparency of the Hazrat Shahjalal (R.A.) shrine in Sylhet. The committee, which includes top local administrators and community representatives, has been tasked with drafting a cohesive management framework within the next month to ensure institutional accountability.

The decision follows a period of intense public debate and controversy regarding the shrine’s fiscal oversight. Tensions escalated in June after the district administration moved to seal historic donation boxes and collection vats, sparking mixed reactions among locals. While some stakeholders lauded the effort as a necessary step toward modernization and transparency, others criticized the move as unilateral and disruptive to long-standing traditions. Following the subsequent reassignment of the former district administrator and the public counting of approximately 1.8 million taka from the sealed boxes, the government sought a more structured approach to resolve the ongoing management disputes.

Minister Muqtadir emphasized that the shrine stands as a spiritual and cultural landmark for the nation, necessitating a system that honors public sentiment while maintaining rigorous financial standards. During a meeting at the Sylhet Circuit House, the minister secured a consensus among local officials—including the administrators of the City Corporation, District Council, and Development Authority, as well as divisional and police authorities—to pursue a unified oversight strategy. The committee will also incorporate representatives from the shrine’s custodial family, local madrasas, and mosques, with the district administrator serving as the member secretary.

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Under the interim operational plan, the current donation collection process will remain in place, with all contributions secured under CCTV surveillance. Once donation boxes are filled, they will be opened in the presence of committee members, and the funds will be deposited into a dedicated bank account managed by the district administrator. The minister stated that this transition is intended to provide a transparent, logical system that addresses the concerns of the public while preserving the dignity of the shrine’s operations.