Monthly Madina (Bengali: মাসিক মদীনা) is a Bengali magazine that has been published in Dhaka since 1961 and is the most widely circulated monthly periodical in Bangladesh.[1][2] Established by Muhiuddin Khan, the magazine was developed under his over five decades of editorship and is one of the oldest Islamic publications still in circulation. The magazine is currently edited by his son, Ahmad Badruddin Khan. Despite being suspended during the 1971 Liberation War and its aftermath, the magazine has continued to circulate, creating a network of Islamic writers and readers and encouraging the development of similar Islamic periodicals.[3]
History
This magazine, established on 1 March 1961 by Muhiuddin Khan, was inspired by his mother's suggestion during his childhood to create a publication akin to Monthly Niamat by Shamsul Haque Faridpuri.[4] The inaugural ceremony, held at its office on English Road in Dhaka, was attended by figures, including Muhammad Shahidullah and Khan Bahadur Jasimuddin, who purchased the first two copies. Other attendees included Ibrahim Khan, Golam Mostofa, Talim Hossain, Chowdhury Shamsur Rahman, and Dewan Abdul Hamid.[5] Artist Qutubuzzaman designed its first cover without charge.[6] The magazine's content spanned topics such as history, traditions, science, health, Quranic studies, Hadith, biographies, research articles, poetry, and a question-and-answer section.[7] Its publication was disrupted during the 1971 Liberation War and the famine of 1974, resulting in a temporary suspension.[8] During this period, Sheikh Lutfar Rahman, a subscriber and father of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, contacted the editor, leading to a meeting with President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This intervention resulted in the magazine's declaration being reinstated by presidential order.[9]Humayun Ahmed also noted that his family subscribed to the magazine.[10] In 1995, the publication faced a legal challenge, but the editor was acquitted.[5]Editorials from fifty years of its publication were compiled into Voices of the Age, and the magazine expanded its readership beyond Bangladesh.[8] Muhiuddin Khan remained its editor until his death in 2016.[11]
Reception
The Daily Ittefaq described it as playing a leading role in promoting Islam in the Bengali language.[3] Professor Hasan Abdul Qayyum, a former director of the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, noted its popularity both domestically and internationally.[12]Jugantor observed that it inspired the publication of similar magazines across the country.[13] Abul Kashem Haider, a former Senate member of University of Dhaka, emphasized its long-standing acceptance and widespread readership, with a circulation exceeding one hundred thousand over several decades.[14]Monthly Al-Kawsar labeled it as a legend.[15]Banglanews24.com remarked that it remains synonymous with Islamic magazines in the country.[16]The Daily Sangram commented on its impactful language and arguments,[17] while Alokito Bangladesh described it as a proverb in Islamic journalism.[18]A F M Khalid Hossain identified it as the magnum opus of Muhiuddin Khan.[19]Shampratik Deshkal suggested that it laid the groundwork for later Islamic magazines.[20]
