The Islamic Foundation has come under criticism in Charfasson, Bhola, over allegations that old, stained and torn books were distributed as prizes to winners of a sub-district-level national cultural competition for children and adolescents. The books also reportedly mention Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the founder of the Islamic Foundation.

The children were disappointed with the condition of the books, while parents expressed anger over the incident. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rumana Afroze has assured that necessary action will be taken if the allegations are substantiated. The Islamic Foundation’s Coordination Division has also said the matter will be investigated.

The National Children and Adolescents Cultural Competition for the 2026–27 fiscal year was held on October 12 at the Char Fasson Upazila Model Mosque. Organised by the Bhola district office of the Islamic Foundation, the competition featured Quran recitation, Hamd and Naat, Islamic knowledge, Azan, poetry recitation, essay writing and extempore speech, among other events.

Several winning students and their guardians alleged that many of the books distributed as prizes were several years old. Some had torn pages, while others had stains on their covers or pages. The children had expected to receive new books after participating in the competition but were disappointed to receive old and damaged copies. Parents also voiced their dissatisfaction.

A member of the competition’s judging panel claimed that several children broke down in tears at the venue after receiving the old books. Those concerned said such mismanagement was undesirable at an event intended to encourage children and adolescents to develop their cultural and creative abilities.

According to the publication details printed in the books, Soinker’s Forty Hadith, translated and compiled by Professor Maulana Ashraf Ali Abadi, was published in its fourth edition in August 2014. Another book, Olikul Shiromoni Shaykh Muhiyuddin Abdul Qadir Jilani (Q.A.), written by Maulana Abul Hayat Muhammad Tarek, was first published in June 2017.

According to information provided by the complainants, the two books were published approximately 12 and nine years ago, respectively. They also alleged that other books distributed as prizes were seven to eight years old.

The mention of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the founder of the Islamic Foundation in the distributed books has also drawn attention. The complainants questioned the role of M. Maksudur Rahman, deputy director of the Islamic Foundation’s Bhola district office, alleging that the distribution of the books reflected an attempt to promote Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s ideals.

Maulana Nasir Uddin, a member of the judging panel, said, “Old books were given to the winning students as prizes. The deputy director of the Islamic Foundation’s Bhola district office will be able to explain why old books were given to such young students.”

Responding to the allegations, M. Maksudur Rahman, deputy director of the Islamic Foundation’s Bhola district office, said, “We have budgetary limitations. If those who received old books inform us, we will arrange to provide them with new books.”

Regarding the mention of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the founder of the Islamic Foundation, he said, “Books about Bangabandhu were not distributed. These are previously printed books, which is why his name appears in them.”

UNO Rumana Afroze described the allegation of distributing old and damaged books as prizes at a children’s cultural competition as unfortunate. She said necessary action would be initiated in consultation with the relevant authorities if the allegations were found to be true.

She added that the primary objective of such events was to encourage children and support their creative development, stressing that greater care should be taken when distributing prizes.

Meanwhile, Md. Mohiuddin, director of the Islamic Foundation’s Coordination Division, said, “If the books mention Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, they are certainly old. Such books should not have been given to the winning students. The matter will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken.”