Prayer Note Found in Shahjalal Shrine Requesting Sheikh Hasina’s Safety

A note expressing political allegiance to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was discovered alongside monetary offerings inside the collection vessels of the Hazrat Shahjalal (R.A.) Shrine in Sylhet on Saturday. The message was uncovered during the routine counting of donations from the historic site’s traditional collection trunks and copper cauldrons (deg).

Written by an individual identifying himself as “Sajib” from Gazipur district, the letter outlines a series of personal prayers focused on the former Prime Minister’s health and political future. The author implores divine intervention to grant Sheikh Hasina long life, writing: “Oh Allah, You are Almighty! Reduce our lifespans to extend the life of our beloved leader Sheikh Hasina.”

Beyond personal well-being, the message explicitly touches upon the current legal challenges facing the Awami League leadership. The writer asks for protection for Sheikh Hasina from what he terms “conspiratorial July cases,” referring to the legal actions initiated following the violent political unrest in July 2024. Additionally, the note asks for divine shielding for Awami League activists across the country against alleged false murder charges.

Under a section sub-titled “Return-2”, the note reads “Sheikh Hasina December-2026”, seemingly referencing expectations of a political comeback later in the year.

The discovery was made during a standard count of cash and items deposited by thousands of devotees who visit the 14th-century Sufi shrine daily. Alongside substantial monetary contributions, officials catalogued multiple personal notes left by worshippers seeking spiritual resolution for private grievances.

Among the other writings retrieved was a note signed by a woman named Hena, who wrote to pray for her husband’s protection from destructive habits. Her message asked for divine intervention to reform her spouse, deliver retribution against those who influenced him negatively, and completely eradicate illicit drugs from society.

The Hazrat Shahjalal (R.A.) shrine in Sylhet serves as one of the most prominent cultural and religious landmarks in Bangladesh, drawing visitors from diverse backgrounds who frequently leave handwritten notes (manat) inside donation boxes to express personal wishes, spiritual hopes, or political petitions.