Eid Prayer Placement: Viral Video Sparks Online Debate about Adviser Asif

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) organized this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr prayer at the old trade fair ground, adjacent to the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center. Among the attendees was Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, who participated in the prayer congregation. A photograph and a video clip showing his position in the prayer row have gone viral on social media, sparking discussions and criticism among netizens.

Several social media users questioned whether the placement of the advisor in a separate row behind the imam was a deviation from Islamic prayer rules. Some argued that the traditional practice of completing the first row before forming the next had not been followed.

The widely circulated image and video footage show Asif Mahmud standing in a distinct row directly behind the imam. The video does not show anyone else standing in this row, leading to speculation and debate. A review of the footage confirms that the Eid prayer was led by Qari Golam Mustafa, with Mufti Jubair Ahmad Al-Azhari serving as the alternate imam. Azhari stood to the imam’s right, while Advisor Asif Mahmud stood to his left. Initially, Asif was positioned in the back row during the iqamah (call to commence prayer), but before the prayer began, the imam called him forward.

A live video analysis further reveals that Asif originally stood in the first row alongside other worshippers. Before the prayer commenced, the imam instructed everyone to take their places. At this point, Mufti Jubair Ahmad Al-Azhari positioned himself slightly behind the imam’s right side. Through the microphone, worshippers were requested to have someone stand slightly behind the imam on the left. After consultations among several individuals, Asif was asked to step forward and take the position. The video confirms that he did not take this position initially but rather moved forward upon the imam’s request and the advice of others.

To clarify the reasoning behind this arrangement, fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner spoke with Mufti Jubair Ahmad Al-Azhari, who stood in the same row as Asif Mahmud. He explained, “The alternate imam stands with the imam. If one side is occupied, the other remains empty. Since there was no space behind, someone had to move forward. The administration requested the honorable advisor to step forward, and he complied.”

The incident has ignited a debate on social media, with some questioning the correctness of the placement while others argue that the arrangement was made following practical considerations.