Global Journal of Human Social Science, C: Sociology and Culture, Volume 22 Issue 6

their masters. Our 1st respondent of in-depth interview said: “My Ghous ul Azam Maizbhandari has the highest status for helping anyone in this universe. What I want from my heart he gives me. It is his Qaramot.” The Maizbhandari Sufi beliefs are based on love, peace, patience, sacrifice and humanity. There is no scope for fundamentalism or extremism in Maizbhandar. The Sufi masters teach them how to love people and not to hate, and how to sacrifice. Huzur Ghous ul Wara said, “We cannot hate anyone and every human being is like my own child” (I heard this speech in a video clip). Maizbhandar Sharif is open to everyone- even for the followers of other religions. This is the symbol of being nonsectarian and liberal which is one of the main parts of their belief system. c) Traditional Sufi Music (Sema) and Zikr Maizbhandari Sufi culture is a traditional one which is more than two hundred years old. Their culture is associated with so many Sufi traditions. These traditions are carried and followed by the Maizbhandari followers. Maizbhandari Song (Sema): Sema (Islamic song like Qwwali) is a tradition of Maizbhandar which is very popular in many parts of the country. Maizbhandar Sharif has a rich tradition of folk songs as well. One of our respondents (IDI-1) noted: "Sema is the word of soul which helps you transcend the mundane world. We have been doing it traditionally with the presence of our Sufi masters. Though the fundamentalists argue that music is prohibited in Islam, they are wrong as Holy Prophet also listened to Islamic songs with Daff (a special kind of drum which is open by one side). We have many Maizbhandari songwriters who are very popular in every part of Bangladesh. Among them Ramesh Shil and Gofur Hali are the most popular writers. For example, 'Ghous ul Azam Maizbhandari School Khuilase' is a very popular Maizbhandari song in our country. We do sema for purifying and perfecting our souls. Even scholars like Jalaluddin Rumi composed and performed Islamic music." The Sema tradition of Maizbhandar is closely linked with the rural people of Bangladesh. The Maizbhandari followers enjoy it so much and perform it for the development of their souls. It is a vital part of the socio-cultural element of Maizbhandar. Another thing is their Sufi zikr (loudly taking the name of Allah). Maizbhandari followers perform Zikr in a very unique and specific manner. They use musical instruments in their Zikr. It is similar to Sema music. With the tempo of the music they collectively pronounce the name of Allah. They also do Sufi dance with the Zikr. They jump while doing the Zikr with the tempo and this is the traditional Sufi dance of Maizbhandar. One of our FGD respondents said: "Performing Zikr and dancing together with sema is divine and transcendental. It takes me out of this ordinary tangible objective world. Losing myself in order to feel Allah’s grace brings supernatural joy to my mind. An indescribable happiness works within me." This Zikr is also done by them for their perfection of soul. During the festivals or occasions they specially perform this Zikr. There are some conditions for joining this zikr which are described by our FGD respondents and those are: • Someone who does not say their prayers (Salah) cannot join; • Someone who does not believe in Sufi zikr cannot join; • Women must participate separately with other women; they are not allowed to attend the Sema with men; • No older people (with potentiality of getting sick) can join; • Someone who consumes any kind of drug cannot join; • Someone who does not understand the eternal value of this Sufi zikr is not allowed to join; • If one of the followers stands up while doing Zikr, everybody should stand up; and • No child can join. d) Major events and Festivals There are a good number of programs that are celebrated by the Maizbhandari followers. They celebrate the birthday, which they call “Khosh Roj Shorif,” of their Sufi masters. They also celebrate the day when their Sufi master passed away from this world which is called Urs (Union with the beloved Allah). People come from different parts of the country to join these events in order to celebrate. We have pointed out the major events of Maizbhandar based on our FGD respondents. 1. The Urs of Ghous ul Azam Shah Sufi Syed Ahmad Ullah Al Maizbhandari (10th of Magh). 2. The Urs of Ghosh ul Azam Shah Sufi Syed Golamur Rahman Baba vandari (22nd Chaitra). 3. Birthday (Khosh Roj Shorif) of Ghosh ul Azam Shah Sufi Syed Golamur Rahman Baba vandari (29th Ashwin). 4. Urs of Ghosh e Zaman Shah Sufi Syed Abul Bashar Maizbhandari and victory day of Bangladesh (16th December). 5. Birthday of Huzur Ghous ul Wara Shah Sufi Syed Mainuddin Ahmed Maizbhandari (27th Magh). 6. Urs of Huzur Ghous ul Wara Shah Sufi Syed Mainuddin Ahmed Maizbhandari (17 September). 7. Birthday of Huzur Shah Sufi Syed Saifuddin Ahmed Maizbhandari (12 Falgun). Besides these events, Maizbhandari followers also celebrate the Mowlud un Nabi (Birthday of the Holy Prophet), Shab e Barat, Shab e Meraj, Shab e Qadar and many other events. One of the FGD respondents said: Volume XXII Issue VI Version I 54 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2022 © 2022 Global Journals C Establishing Peace through a Mystic Journey towards Fana : An Ethnographic Study on the Sufi Culture of Maizbhandar in Chittagong, Bangladesh