Obaidullah Hamzah

Obaidullah Hamzah (; born 1972) is a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar, educator and economist. He is the sixth Director-General of Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya and the head of its Arabic department. He is also the secretary-general of Anjuman-e-Ittihadul Madaris Bangladesh and Bangladesh Tahfizul Quran Organisation, chairman of the sharia supervisory committee of Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd and Social Islami Bank Limited, the chief editor of the Bengali monthly At-Tawhid and the chief editor of Arabic magazine Balagh ash-Sharq.

Early life and education Hamzah was born in 1972, to a Bengali Muslim family in the village of Digalia-Palang in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. His father's name was Amir Hamzah. Hamzah completed his initial education at the Digalia-Palang Qasimul Uloom Madrasa before proceeding to study at Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya where he completed his master's in Hadith studies. He received first class at the central examinations from the Anjuman-e-Ittehad al-Madaris examination board. In 1992, he gained first class from the Hadith exams by Befaqul Madarisil Arabia. The following year, he completed his studies of Bengali literature and research department from the Patiya madrasa.

Career After completing his education, Hamzah started his career as a teacher of Hadith at the Dar as-Sunnah Madrasa in Cox's Bazar. Between 1994 and 2000, Hamzah was employed as a teacher and translator under the Saudi ministries of religious affairs and defence. In 2001, he became a teacher at Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya. From 2003 to 2005, he was the host of an Islamic radio programme in South Africa. In 2008, he took participated in the International Islamic Conference for Dialogue held in Mecca. Hamzah toured Thailand in 2012, where he gave speeches in 30 different colleges, Islamic institutions, radio stations and Thai Muslim TV. In 2013, Hamzah took part in an International Humanities Law Course in Beirut, Lebanon which was a part of a joint venture by the Arab League and International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. He became a member of the Social Islami Bank's sharia board in 2013. Hamzah has also held the role of khatib at the Halishahar A-Block Central Mosque. During a shura at Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya on 25 August 2020, Hamzah was appointed as the assistant-director of the madrasa. After Abdul Halim Bukhari's death in 2022, Hamzah was nominated as the acting director-general, and subsequently the director-general on 7 July 2022.

Honours

On 22 August 2018, the Muslim World League published a work on kindness and benevolence in Islam. Articles written by Islamic scholars from 64 countries were accepted, and from that, 8 articles were nominated to be a part of the official publication. Among the 8 published articles, the article presented in the first session was written by Obaidullah Hamzah. Hamzah was awarded in the conference and invited to Hajj.

Publications Hamzah is the chief editor of the Arabic magazine Balagh ash-Sharq and the chief editor of the Bengali monthly magazine At-Tawhid. Among his written and edited books are:

English

Charity in Islam: Benefits and Excellences. Human Dignity and Dead Body Management in Islam

Bengali

Quran and Modern Science Endangered Women Islam vs. Terrorism Muslim world exposed to the naked touch of Christianity Guide of Islam in child rearing Love of Prophet vs. Insult Business vs. Interest: Perspectives on the Muslim World Terrorism: Causes and Remedies Human rights: Contribution of Prophet Mohammad pbuh. Our Youth: Context Facebook Poverty is a Danger, the Road to Zakat Free Yaba's terrible paw: Target Bangladesh Dignity and rights of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the light of the Qur'an Women: Come back in the shadow of hijab Dignity of knowledge and contribution of Ulema-e Deoband Islamic Culture vs. Subculture