Sylhet’s temple not covered due to Waz Mahfil
Recent claims on social media suggest that the Gupaltila Shiva Temple in Sylhet was covered due to a nearby Waz Mahfil (religious gathering) led by Maulana Mizanur Rahman Azhari. Posts circulating on various social media platforms shared images alleging that the temple, located about 1 kilometer from the event venue, was entirely covered because of the gathering. However, verification reveals that the temple was actually covered by its authorities with tarpaulin to protect the idol construction for the upcoming Saraswati Puja.
An account on the social media platform X, named ‘Hindu Voice,’ posted an image of the Sri Sri Shiva Temple in Gupaltila on January 10, captioned: “News coming in from #Sylhet district of #Bangladesh. A Shiva temple has been covered because of the objections from the local muslims. A Maulana named Mijanur Rahaman Ajhari is doing a Waj Mahfil. Muslims are going through the road in front of the Shiva temple. They objected to the temple and the Murti.” Similar claims were shared on several other X accounts (1, 2, 3) and Facebook accounts (1, 2, 3, 4).
The same claim was also propagated by the Indian media outlet ‘News18 Bangla.’ In a video uploaded to the channel’s official YouTube page on January 10, it is stated at the 16-second mark: “Meanwhile, another incident in Sylhet! A Shiva temple one kilometer away has been covered with white fabric because a Maulvi is organizing a religious gathering there.” At the 30-second mark, the video shows an image of the Sri Sri Shiva Temple in Gupaltila. The claim regarding the temple is repeated again starting at the 57-second mark of the video. The same video was posted on the official Facebook page of News18 Bangla.
While verifying the claim, Dismislab came across a Facebook post by an individual named Hasan Al Mahmud. In his post, he included screenshots of some posts on X and Facebook that alleged the temple had been covered due to the religious gathering. He wrote, “Thousands of such posts have flooded Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It is being claimed that the temple was covered with fabric for Maulana Azhari’s recent Waz Mahfil in Sylhet to prevent anyone from seeing the temple and committing sin. The image is of the Gupaltila Temple. In reality, the temple was covered with plastic to facilitate the construction of Saraswati idols, protecting them from being damaged by fog. The plastic was put up three days before the Waz, and even after the program ended, the covering remains and will stay for a few more days.”
To verify further, Dismislab contacted the Facebook user. He provided multiple images of the temple and a video statement from the temple’s caretaker. In the video, the caretaker explained that idol-making activities were ongoing inside the temple. To protect them from damage caused by mist, the idols have been covered.
Dismislab also reached out to Himadri Kar Purkayastha, the general secretary of the Gupaltila Sarbajanin Puja Committee. He confirmed, “Idol-making activities for Saraswati Puja are currently ongoing at the temple. That specific part of the temple has been covered to prevent disruptions in the work.” He further mentioned that the Waz organizers had coordinated with the temple authorities to ensure no shops related to Waz Mahfil were set up around the temple during the event. He clarified that the temple covering had no connection to the Waz Mahfil.
Notably, an event named “Historic Tafsirul Quran Mahfil 2025” was organized by an organization called Anjumane Khedmate Quran Sylhet at the Sylhet MC College grounds from January 9 to 11. Dr. Mizanur Rahman Azhari was one of the key speakers at the religious gathering event.
