The Last Lantern: Sheikh Oli Ahamed and the Journey of Rohingya Faith

65 Years of Teaching, Thousands of Lives Touched

By RO Maung Shwe | Cox’s Bazar | May 1, 2025

Among the fading generation of Rohingya scholars who once carried the torch of Islamic education across the region, Sheikh-ul-Hadith Oli Ahamed Shaab, now aged 91, stands as a towering figure of knowledge, resilience, and devotion. With an extraordinary legacy of over 65 years of teaching, he has guided more than 3,000 students through the final Dawrah Hadith stage, shaping a generation of religious scholars serving communities in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.

A Scholar Rooted in Rohingya Soil

Born in Kyet Yoe Pyin, a quiet village in Maungdaw Township, Arakan (Rakhine State), Sheikh Oli Ahamed is the second son of the late Abdu Kadir and Meher Khatun. From a young age, his parents instilled in him a love for knowledge. At age six, they enrolled him in the village primary school. However, the school was soon shut down under government orders—a common fate for many Rohingya educational institutions.

With support from local elders, the abandoned school was transformed into a madrasa. His parents redirected his educational journey toward Islamic studies, where he advanced up to Jamat-e-Hastum (Grade 4).

From a Village Boy to a Global Seeker of Knowledge

Realizing the limitations of local institutions under military suppression, Sheikh Oli Ahamed continued his studies at Islamia Madrasa in Doe Daung, under the guidance of Maulana Mohammad Siddik and Maulana Abul Kashim, completing Punjum (Grade 5). But the deteriorating condition of Islamic education for Rohingya students forced his family to make a bold decision—send him abroad for further studies.

With barely enough money for the journey, he set out with a group of fellow students toward India, where he was admitted to Jamia Islamia Madrasa in Amroha, Moradabad. There, under scholars like Maulana Abdul Kuddus, Maulana Siraz, and Maulana Mohammad Nosim, he completed Soshum (Grade 6).

From there, he travelled to Pakistan, enrolling first at Jamia Fakhiya in Lahore, and later transferring to the prestigious Khairul Modares Madrasa in Multan, where he completed his Dawrah Hadith and further specialized in Hadith, Quranic Tafsir, and Arabic language. His notable mentors included Sheikh-ul-Hadith Khair Mohammad Jalondori, Maulana Mufti Abdullah, and Maulana Mohammad Sharif Kashmiri.

Words of Encouragement That Lit the Way

His academic brilliance did not go unnoticed. Upon completing Dawrah Hadith, Sheikh Khair Mohammad Jalondori praised him, saying:

“You are among the greatest. Never lose hope and stay strong in serving the Deen of Islam.”

Another mentor, Maulana Mufti Abdul Kuddus, encouraged him:

“You have come from a faraway land. If you study sincerely, you will return home with the knowledge your people need.”

And Maulana Khair Mohammad offered a heartfelt blessing:

“You are from a persecuted community, but Inshallah, Allah will protect you until the end.”

Faith, Fraternity, and the Mercy of Strangers

Recalling those days, Sheikh Oli Ahamed often reflects:

“When I left home, I barely had money for a month. But Allah never let me suffer. People I didn’t even know would ask us where we came from, and then, without a word, hand us money or food. Madrasa fed us three meals a day. Locals took care of our needs. May Allah grant Jannatul Ferdous to all those who supported us.”

Return to Homeland and a Family of Scholars

After earning his degrees, Sheikh Oli Ahamed returned to Maungdaw in 1959, where he was warmly welcomed. In 1960, he married Dawla Khatun of Hasaribil village. Together, they raised four sons and two daughters, all of whom received Islamic and formal education.

• His eldest son, Mohammad Osman, completed Dawrah Hadith from Patiya Madrasa in Chittagong, later teaching in Nga Khura before moving to Saudi Arabia.
• His second son, Mohammad Akram, served as Vice Principal of their village madrasa.
• Mohammad Ayoub, the third son, completed his studies at Darul Uloom Miyajanpuro.
• His youngest son, Mohammad Taher, earned a Bachelor’s in English from Sittway University, securing one of the region’s rare 3D (Destination) Honors.

In 2024, his grandson, Mohammad Nawman, completed Dawrah Hadith from Patiya Madrasa, and several other grandsons continue Islamic education.

Decades of Teaching Across Generations

Sheikh Oli Ahamed began teaching in 1960 at the village madrasa as an Imam and primary-level teacher. A decade later, he was recruited by Maulana Mohammad Ediris, Principal of Darul Uloom Ahamodiya, where he taught advanced Islamic texts, including Hedaya-3, Miskat, Musallamuthbut, and Sullam. During his 10-year tenure there, he produced over 200 Dawrah Hadith graduates.

In 1980, he joined Darul Uloom Miyajanpuro Madrasa in Londung, one of the most respected madrasas in Arakan. For 32 years, he taught Bukhari Sharif, Tirmizi Sharif, and Miskat Sharif, guiding more than 1,500 students, many of whom are now respected scholars in Arakan, Bangladesh, and the Gulf.

Persecution, Hidden Teaching, and Forced Displacement

When the Myanmar junta, in coordination with local extremist groups like NaTaLa, launched campaigns to suppress Islamic institutions, madrasas were systematically shut down. Sheikh Oli Ahamed and others resorted to teaching secretly, even helping students complete their final-year Dawrah Hadith under extreme risk.

But the situation turned unbearable during the 2016–2017 genocidal crackdown on Rohingya. Scholars were targeted, mosques and madrasas torched. Fearing execution or arrest, he fled with his family to Bangladesh.

Since 2017, he has resided in the Kutupalong refugee camp, where he continues teaching Bukhari Sharif and Miskat Sharif at Markaz-e-Ashori, a humble but committed Islamic learning center.

A Final Reflection from a Scholar in Exile

Now at 91, with his health declining but his spirit firm, Sheikh Oli Ahamed says:

“Islam is not just a religion—it’s the truth from Allah. There are many ideologies that control people, but only Islam liberates through guidance. To the Muslim Ummah: hold tightly to the rope of Allah.”

To his Rohingya people, he urges:

“Never forget Arakan. It is our homeland. We are its rightful citizens, no matter what anyone says. Do not sell it for any temporary comfort. Work for a peaceful return. Teach your children to love their land. A people without land are a people without dignity.”

Conclusion: A Living Legacy

Sheikh-ul-Hadith Oli Ahamed Shaab’s life is not merely a biography—it is a testament to what it means to endure with faith. From a barefoot boy in Maungdaw to one of the most respected Rohingya scholars of our time, his story is etched in sacrifice, service, and spiritual steadfastness.

Despite war, persecution, and exile, he continues to teach from a tin-roofed madrasa in a refugee camp—proving that the soul of a teacher never retires. His students, spread across continents, carry the torch he lit, and his words will echo in Rohingya hearts for generations to come.