Abstract

There are thousands of pirpul waqf estates in Bangladesh. Out of these only 201 estates are enrolled under the waqf administration. These estates originated in Bengal from the vast properties dedicated by the Mughal emperors, Turkish sultans and the then Muslim rulers of Bengal for the maintenance of Sufi, Saints who came to Bangladesh for preaching Islam. Pirpul waqf estates are of significance to the religious Bangalee. So, this article elucidates how satisfactorily the management and administration of these estates are going on under the existing Waqf Ordinance 1962. It also intends to identify problems surrounding the pirpul waqf estates throughout the country along with the reasons for failure of the Scheduled Dargah (Management and Disposal) Ordinance 1989 and of the Schedule Dargah (Management and Disposal) Act 1990 for governing the management of dargah/mazar waqf estates. This article explores overall situation of management of pirpul waqf estates in Bangladesh with special reference to the Shah Mukhdum (Rh.) pirpul waqf estate in Rajshahi. Existing pirpul waqf estates have vast incomes from dedicated properties and Nazars. Ensuring proper utilisation of these estates more welfare activities can be undertaken for the poor and distressed Muslims of the country. So, this article suggests new legislation for removal of discrepancies and to ensure effective management and administration of the pirpul waqf estates in Bangladesh.