Multiple officials of the Islamic Foundation have been found to have secured top-tier jobs using forged academic certificates and manipulated recruitment scores, and have continued in service for over a decade without interruption.

A recent investigation by the religious affairs ministry implicated six officials of the Islamic Foundation. They are Assistant Editor Muhammad Fakhrul Alam, Religious Instructor Jubayir Ahmmad, Publication Officer Md Rezowanul Alam, Assistant Librarian Md Nazmus Sakib, Artist Farzima Mizan Shormin, and Laboratory Technician Russell Mia.

The Daily Sun obtained a copy of the investigation report.

No action has yet been taken against the officials despite multiple internal and external investigations confirming their illegal appointments, said sources inside the foundation.

On 14 July this year, the ministry formed a committee to investigate the irregularities and corruption within the Islamic Foundation. The committee was led by Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain.

Other members of the investigation committee include Md Fazlur Rahman, additional secretary (budget and grants) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Dr Khalilur Rahman Madani and Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, governors, Board of Governors of the Islamic Foundation; and Shaikh Murshidul Islam, secretary of the Islamic Foundation and member secretary of the probe committee.

The committee submitted its full report to the Adviser of the Ministry of Religious Affairs on 30 October after examining irregularities committed between 2009 and 2024.

Seeking anonymity, a member of the investigation committee, told the Daily Sun, “We found multiple first-class officers who secured jobs illegally using fake certificates. Others were appointed by tampering with recruitment test scores. We recommended termination and legal action against them.”

Individual cases

Assistant Editor Muhammad Fakhrul Alam was appointed on 19 March 2015 using a forged Honours certificate from the National University. Later, the university confirmed that his certificate was forged. The ministry’s investigation committee described his appointment as a criminal offence.

Contacted, Fakhrul said that the Islamic Foundation had suspended him over the incident. He also demanded fair judgment.

Religious Instructor Jubayir Ahmmad, appointed on 22 October 2015, lacked the required first-class Kamil degree and three years of teaching experience in a government-recognised religious educational institution. The investigation committee declared his appointment invalid.

The correspondent could not reach him for his comments after repeated attempts over the phone.

Publication Officer Md Rezowanul Alam was found guilty of altering personal details and manipulating viva voce scores. Former Awami League lawmaker RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, then a governor of the Islamic Foundation, allegedly increased his interview score from 12 to 16 to secure his appointment.

The recruitment committee did not approve this, and Rezowanul also allegedly falsified his birthplace to gain quota benefits. The probe committee recommended his termination.

Contacted, Rezowanul denied all the allegations against him and said he was not involved in any wrongdoing. He asserted that others were conspiring against him.

Assistant Librarian Md Nazmus Sakib was appointed on 16 February in 2017 under the freedom fighter quota after submitting a fake certificate and manipulating viva marks. The ministry’s committee recommended cancelling his appointment.

Contacted, Sakib denied making any comment over the manipulation of his viva score. Regarding the forged freedom fighter’s certificate, he said, “My father’s freedom fighter certificate is genuine and I have all proper documents.”

Artist Farzima Mizan Shormin, appointed on 16 February in 2017 under the women’s quota, also benefited from increased viva marks – from 15 to 17. The committee called for her removal. Contacted, she denied making any comment.

Laboratory Technician Russell Mia submitted a membership certificate instead of the required diploma in laboratory technology, rendering his appointment invalid. He could not be reached over the phone.

Islamic Foundation’s response

Regarding the implementation of the probe committee’s recommendations, Islamic Foundation’s Director General Abdus Salam Khan told the Daily Sun, “We will take appropriate action based on the investigation report. Those proven guilty of using fake certificates or tampering with recruitment scores will be terminated first, followed by legal proceedings.”