The article highlights Saudi Arabia's growing, quiet influence in Bangladesh, primarily through the funding and spread of Wahhabism, a minority reformist movement within the predominantly Sunni Muslim nation.

Here is a detailed answer to the question "Who are Wahhabis?" and how the movement is linked to Saudi influence in Bangladesh:

Who are Wahhabis?

Wahhabism is a religious reform movement within Sunni Islam that emerged in the 18th century. It is named after its founder, the Islamic scholar Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703–1792), who was born in the Najd region (now part of Saudi Arabia).

Core Tenets and Practices:

Strict Monotheism (Tawhid): The movement places extreme emphasis on the concept of Tawhid (the absolute oneness of God). Wahhabis argue that many widespread Muslim practices are forms of polytheism (shirk) because they create an intermediary between the worshipper and God.

Rejection of Veneration: They strictly reject practices such as the visitation and veneration of shrines, tombs, or the graves of Muslim saints. They view these acts, and the belief in the special powers of saints, as heretical religious innovations (bid'ah).

Literal Interpretation: Wahhabism advocates a puritanical and literal return to the foundational sources of Islam: the Quran and the authentic Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet Muhammad), eschewing many centuries of interpretation by religious scholars.

Historical Actions: Historically, the movement was known for its zeal in destroying hundreds of graves and monuments that it deemed idolatrous, including sites associated with the Prophet Muhammad's companions.

Adherent Terminology: Adherents often refer to themselves as Muwaḥḥidūn (unitarians) or Salafis (followers of the pious ancestors), rather than Wahhabis (a term generally used by outsiders).

🇧🇩 Wahhabism and Saudi Influence in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a population of over 170 million, of which approximately 91% are Muslim (based on the 2022 census). The dominant schools of thought among Bangladeshi Muslims are historically Deobandi and Sufi traditions. Wahhabis remain a minority sect.

However, the article suggests Saudi Arabia is increasing its influence in Bangladesh by silently funding the propagation of Wahhabi/Salafi ideology:

• Funding and Ideological Spread: Saudi Arabia has historically used its economic power, often through oil diplomacy and transnational religious institutions, to fund and promote the Wahhabi/Salafi ideology globally through the construction of mosques, madrasas, and Islamic organizations.




• Local Tensions: In Bangladesh, this influence has reportedly led to local tensions, with the Wahhabi community being accused by other sects of being behind attacks on shrines and temples.




• Remittances and Cultural Influence: Additionally, millions of Bangladeshi workers reside in Saudi Arabia (approximately 3.2 million currently), and their return to Bangladesh, along with the huge volume of remittances sent back, also contributes to the exposure and adoption of religious practices observed in the Gulf region.




• Official Grants: While the process is often subtle, the Saudi government has also provided official grants, such as the announced Tk244 crore (US $22 million) grant for the construction of eight "iconic" mosques in Bangladesh.

The increasing strength of the Wahhabi movement, fueled by external funding and training, is seen as a key instrument in Saudi Arabia's geopolitical strategy to quietly increase its soft power dominance in the densely populated, Muslim-majority nation next to India.