Districts of Bangladesh Named After Sufis Manifesting the Great Impact of Sufism on Bengal Civilization: A Qualitative Study

Sufism, a mystical Islamic practice, has profoundly impacted Bengal's culture and civilisation, including Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. The current study aims to discuss how Sufism has helped to reduce religious hatred and extremism among Bengalis. It has also established a system of equality, love, and fraternity among people in the Bengali culture. The history and influence of Sufism in Bangladesh is over a thousand years old and significantly impacts about hundred sixty-nine million people in Bangladesh. One of the reasons is the effect of the calling of Dawah' s activities. After Sufism crossed the threshold of Bangladesh, it fascinated the Bengalis and left a meaningful impact on them, which also strengthened their Islamic ideology. Sufism immensely helped the promotion of societal peace in Bengal. The Bengali Sufi saints preached love and compassion, and their ideas also promoted different aspects of religion. They urged people to appreciate variety and value one another's uniqueness. This selfless act inspired many humans to leave their faith to convert to Islam. There is a unique contribution of Sufism to the development of social life and the civilisation of Bangladesh. Remarkably, the settlements of eleven out of sixty-four districts with the names of the famous Sufis show the influence of Sufism. Moreover, since the Sufis were charismatic leaders, their piety, helpfulness, and compassion continue to help Sufism remain a pillar of mystical Islam in Bangladesh.


Introduction
Sufism is a mystical tradition within Islam that emphasises the inner dimension of the faith. Sufis seek to achieve direct knowledge of God through various methods, including Prayer and meditation, Spiritual companionship, Self-discipline, and Devotional music. Many Sufi orders have been introduced to the world in different eras. The Sufis who preached Islamic values and teachings left a lasting impact on countless people with their call and invitation, due to which many non-Muslims embraced Islam. 1 The influence of Sufism on the people of Bangladesh is undeniable. Moreover, there has been a considerable impact of Sufism on the culture and civilisation of the people of Bangladesh for thousands of years. The people of Bangladesh follow about twelve major Sufi orders in general. Though Buddhism and Hinduism were prominent in Bengal, the simplified philosophy that developed was primarily Sufism. Their teachings of love for humanity, for Allah, and for Prophet Muhammad (SAW) continue to be demonstrated by mystic tales and folkloric songs till today. Sufis strongly refrain from religious and community conflicts and endeavour to be peaceful members of civil society.
Moreover, accommodation, adaptation, piety, and charism help Sufism to remain a strong pillar of mystical Islam in Bangladesh. 2 This study is about the thousand-year visibility of Sufism in Bangladesh since the eleventh century and its impact on the region's history, culture, and people. Sufism has played a crucial role in developing the Bengali language and literature. Bengali was the principal language of the Sufi saints of Bengal, known as 'Pīrs ' and 'Fakīrs,' to transmit their lessons of love, peace, and harmony among people. They wrote many devotional songs and poetry in Bengali, forming an essential part of the region's cultural history. These melodies, known as Baul songs, are still popular among Bengalis.
Sufism had a significant impact on Bengali art and architecture as well. Bengal's Sufi shrines, known as 'Dargahs,' are distinguished by their elaborate decorations and patterns, representing the region's syncretic culture. Sufi influences may also be seen in Bengal's terracotta art found in temples and mosques. In Bengal, Sufism led to several musical genres, including Baul, Kirtan, and Gazal. These musical traditions tend to blend the aspects of Hindu and Islamic music in order to create a unique and distinct style of music that represents the region's religious harmony and cultural diversity.
The current study implements qualitative and analytical procedures to gather secondary data. Several research institutions were also visited to collect secondary information, including the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh (IFB), the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, the Bangla Academy, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Various books, articles, and journals were reviewed on the contribution of Sufism to Bengali civilisation in these four libraries. The current study, from the source of these libraries, remarked that influential Sufis from different countries had contributed considerably to the spread of Islam in this country by visiting various important institutes in Bangladesh. Sufis also preached the teachings of Islam in other regions of Bangladesh and the Indian subcontinent. The people of Bangladesh were inspired by Sufis, leading them to embrace Islam. The original names of eleven of the sixty-four districts of Bangladesh are named after Sufis.
The primary objective of this research is to explore and document the role of Sufism in Bengal Civilization. The following purposes were set for the study: (i) Explaining the role of Sufism in expanding the influence of Islam in Bangladesh with different approaches.
(ii) To identify why Sufis from Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Middle East came to Bangladesh.
Considering the importance of the topics discussed above, the primary research question of this study is how have Sufi scholars successfully promoted Islam in Bangladesh? Why have millions of people embraced Islam as a religion? DEPARTMENT  The arrival of Sufi saints and intellectuals in Bengal during the 12th and 13th centuries is widely regarded as the impetus for the spread of Sufism there. During this period, Sufis' teachings soon began to create an attraction among the local population. Sufis connected with the people of Bengal by emphasising love, compassion, and tolerance. They also adapted their teachings to the local culture.
Islam's most significant campaign spread in the country from the eleventh century to the seventeenth century. Sufis from Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Khorasan, Central Asia, Pakistan, and Northern India preached Sufism in Bangladesh. 5 Hazrat Shah Jalal (1271-1346), one of the most influential early Sufi saints in Bengal, is thought to have travelled to the area from Konya, Turkey, in the early 14th century. He established a Sufi order that became influential in the region, known as the Jalaliyya. The most notable Sufis credited with bringing Sufi teachings at that time were Shah Sultan Rumi (d. 1075), Baba Adam Shaheed (15th century), Shah Sultan Balkhi (14th century), Shah Niamatullah Butshikan (14th century), Shah Makhdum Rupos (1216-1313), Fariduddin Ganje Shakar (1173-1265), Makhdum Shah Dowah Shaheed (d. 1313), and others. They were proficient in Islamic jurisprudence. They established several Sufi organisations, such as the Chishtiyya, the Qadiriyya, and the Naqshbandiyya, which became widely practised in Bengal. Due to their extraordinary knowledge, eloquence, and human love, the ordinary people of this country were attracted to Sufism. In this way, Sufism flourished in Bangladesh gradually. Meanwhile, North Indian Sufism strengthened within only a half-century. Mainly, the North Indian Sufi doctrine of Ganga came into Bangladesh. The North Indian Sufis were the most influential in Bengal. Among them were Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (1143-1236 In the Twelfth and thirteenth centuries, many people of Bengal accepted Islam by dint of Sufi activities. Due to their religious beliefs, many Sufi saints from Turkey, the Arab countries, Persia, Baghdad, Pakistan, India, and Bengal spread Islam. As a result of the Sultans' patronage, this country became a stronghold of the Sufis' activities. The lifestyle of these Sufi saints was exciting and instructive. 7 Bengali Sufism was a religious, cultural, and social movement. Saints and scholars of the Sufi tradition contributed towards promoting peace and harmony in Bengal's many diverse religious and ethnic groupings. Sufi orders were instrumental in disseminating literacy and education throughout the region. Additionally, they served as a forum for expressing regional art, music, and language.
From the turn of the fifteenth century, the Sufi saints established the Muslim kingdom in Bengal. Besides, many other Sufi saints came to Bengal. They organised various activities in order to spread Islam. They invited people from Sylhet-Chattagram in Bangladesh to the Mangalakot of Bardhaman, India, and South Bagerhat to the Dinajpur district. Consequently, the path of propagators for Islam was relatively easy. Historian Mohar Ali mentioned that over one million Sufis preached and propagated Islam in Bangladesh. 8 As a result of the Sufis' efforts, Islam spread rapidly in Bengal. By the 16th century, most of the population had converted to Islam. Sufism also had a significant impact on Bengali culture. Sufis were responsible for developing several Bengali art forms, including sema music and poetry. They also played a role in the spread of Bengali literature and education.
During the 18th century, the British East India Company began to exert its influence over Bengal. The British were initially hostile to Sufism but later appreciated its role in promoting social harmony. As a result, the British allowed Sufis to continue to operate freely in Bengal.
After nearly 600 years of Islam's birth, the Sufi saints influenced Bengal's Muslims by reflecting Islam's beauty. Before that, the people of Bengal were mainly Hindus, Buddhists, or belonged to some other religion. Therefore, under all the above-mentioned reasons, the influence of Sufi saints in Bengal still exists today. Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273), Ibn al Arabi (1165-1240), and Hafiz Shirazi (1325-1390) influenced the Sufi doctrine of murshidi, baul, and fakīr songs in Bengal. Lalon Shah's (1774-1890) and Hassan Raja (1854-1922)'s music has an unprecedented impact and is still being sung. 9 Many different Sufi orders are still active and thriving in Bengal even in the modern day, which is evidence of the pervasive influence of Sufism on the region's religious and cultural landscape.

Districts and Provinces Named After Sufi Saints in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a South Asian country bordered by India to the west, east, and north and Myanmar to the southeast. Although Bangladesh is located between these two countries, India and Myanmar, DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT AND CIVILIZATION Volume 13 Issue 1, Spring 2023 the Muslim population of this country is about 146 million. India has a significant population following Hinduism, and Myanmar has a considerable population following Buddhism. However, the most dominant religion in Bangladesh is Islam. Its credit, to an extent, goes to the dissemination of Sufism and the effect of the call of Dawah's activities. In Bangladesh, Sufism significantly influenced the development of the country's religious and cultural traditions. Sufi saints and scholars did much to bring peace and harmony between Bangladesh's many faith and ethnic groups. It has contributed to the dissemination of literacy and education in the region.
This scenario depicts the popularity of Sufism in this country. Sufism has been a significant component of Bangladesh's religious and cultural landscape until today. The country is also home to a thriving community of Sufi organisations. Moreover, there are sixty-four districts in Bangladesh, eleven of which are named after the names of Sufi Saints. The sections called under the terms of the Sufi saints of ancient Bengal are discussed below. 10

Meherpur District
The district of Meherpur is an administrative region of the Khulna division of the central part of Bangladesh. This district has an area of 716.08 sq. Km. Its boundaries are Kushtia district and West Bengal (India) on the north, Chuadanga and West Bengal (India) on the south, Chuadanga and Kushtia districts on the east, and West Bengal (India) on the west. Meherpur, situated in southwestern Bangladesh, is an ancient township. However, it has not been known how this old township of undivided Nadia (Meherpur) was developed. It is reported that the city was established during the time of Vikramaditya. 11 According to the historian Kumudanath Mallick (1883Mallick ( -1970, Mohar Ali mentioned this place as the dwelling place of Mihir-Khana and imagined Mihirpur from Mihir's name, Maherpur. 12 This concept of naming is hypothetical and imaginative.
There are more opinions about naming. Ashraf Siddiqui (1927Siddiqui ( -2020 states, "This region has been named after one of the 16th-century Sufi saints Mehar Ali Shah. Before getting the district's identity, the old township of Meherpur was separate. In the 2nd century A.D., in the famous geographical map of Mr Ptolemy, several small islands were found in the Ganges River. This small island was considered Kushtia, Chuadanga, and Meherpur." 13 During the reign of Hindu King Laxman Sen (1118-1206 in Bengal in 1204, a Turkish Muslim young brave commander named Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad Bakhtiar Khilji from Bihar occupied Nadia, the capital of Laxman Sen, with only 18 horse riders. At that time, Laxman Sen probably weakened the national structure through negligence and corruption in the princely state. Due to all these reasons, Laxman Sen could not take enough protection against Khilji. Bakhtiyar Khilji had taken possession of Nadia and went to Gaura. The conquest of Nadia in Bakhtiyar began Muslim rule in this region. Bengal's first Muslim rule lasted nearly six hundred years. 14 In the first half of the thirteenth century, after the fall of the last independent ruler of Hinduism, Hindu Raja Laxman Sen, the rise of Muslim rule was seen in the capital of Nadia, along with the development of Muslim control all over Bengal. During the 561 years, From the year 1204 till the British East Indies Company's Diwani gain, 76 sub-Badars, Nazim, Raja, and Nawab, ruled Bengal. Meherpur was involved in the rule of all of them. The spread of Islam in this region began 10 Aslam Nujrul, Names of districts in the Name of Sufi Saints (Dhaka: Thejoban.Com, 2011), 1. 11  Meherpur has been ruled for a long time under the rule of King Krishna Chandra. Under Mughal Emperor Akbar's reign (1556-1605), Raja Bhabananda Majumdar established a prominent "Nadia dynasty." The area where the Nadia dynasty established the zamindari was known as "Nadia." At that time, the zamindari area of the state of Nadia was 3,151 square miles. Meherpur was one of the most critical districts in the Nadia region. 16 In 1751, The British defeated Muslims in the Indian subcontinent with the support of Mir Syed Jafar Ali Khan Bahadur (1691-1765

Jamalpur District
Jamalpur is the 20th District of Bangladesh. The geographical location of this district is very charming. Jamalpur is situated in Garo Hills' foothills, remembered for Sufi Hazrat Shah Jamal (1588-1671). Jamalpur is in the Mymensingh Division. The area of this district is 2031.98 sq. Km. It is located on the west bank of the ancient Brahmaputra River. Its trade centre is quite significant for agricultural products. Jamalpur is one of the leading districts for importing goods and exports. The country's largest fertiliser factory is located here. It has a boundary of The Meghalaya state of India, Kurigram and Sherpur districts on the north, Tangail district on the south, Mymensingh and Sherpur districts on the east, Jamuna River on the west, and Bogra, Sirajganj, and Gaibandha districts on the west. Among the Mymensingh Division, the Jamalpur district is in sixth place, ranked 33rd among the 64 districts of Bangladesh. The founder of an indigo and feudalism movement was Haji Shariatullah (1781-1840). Besides, Haji Shariatullah, the pioneer of the Faraizi movement in India, was one of the religious reformers and a Sufi. After visiting Mecca in 1799, he returned to Bengal in 1818 AD and started reforming religion. As his name suggests, the Shariatpur district under Dhaka was named after him. 27 Shariatpur district was part of greater Bikrampur earlier. In 1869, it was part of the Bakerganj district for the convenience of administration. Apurba Bangla is a Muslim-majority area therefore, the Muslim League's dominance in the province is more prominent.

Madaripur District
Madaripur District is an administrative division of Dhaka and the middle division of Bangladesh. Madaripur district was a historically rich and populated town long ago. According to the 15th-century Sufi saint Badi' al-Din Shāh Madār (1315-1434), the Madaripur district was named after him. The area of this district is 1144.96 sq. In ancient times, Madaripur was called Idilpur. Idilpur was a developed hamlet in the state of Chandradvipa.
The administrative name of this region was then Navvomondol. Kotalipara was one of the centres of the civilisation of Bengal. Eidilpur and Kotalipara were famous for trade and commerce in the fourth century A.D. During the invasion of Alexander, the Great in India, the Gangesri tribe ruled independently in the Kotalipara region before 327 BC. Afterwards, this region (320-496AD) was under the Guptas. Later, Shashanka ruled (590-625) the area as the first independent Bengali emperor between 590 and 625 AD. After the death of Shashanka, the era of chaos and anarchy began in Bengal. In the year 750, Gopal was chosen as King. The Pala dynasty ruled Bengal from 750 to 1224 AD. In the fifteenth century, Badi' al-Din Shāh Madār (1315-1434) was an influential Sufi scholar who ruled the region for a while and made many significant contributions to spread the message of Islam to ordinary people. Later the people of the Madaripur district named this district after his name. In 1984, Madaripur was recognised as a district by the Bangladeshi government. During the Mughal rule, Munshiganj's name was Idrakpur. In the middle of the sixteenth century, the name of the faujdar was Idrak. It is assumed that after his name, it was called Idrakpur.

Mymensingh District
The district of Mymensingh is a vast area located in central Bangladesh. Mymensingh district was the largest district of Bangladesh in the year 1970. On the other hand, Mymensingh is one of Bangladesh's oldest cities. The name of this city is also found in many ancient books of Bangla literature. The central part of Mymensingh's heritage is the Mymensingh Geetika, published as a compilation of old pundits and folk songs. Mymensingh refers to the greater Mymensingh (presentday Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sherpur, Tangail, Jamalpur, Kishoreganj, and Gazipur districts). This district is the fourth largest district in Bangladesh. This city is one of the major cities in Bangladesh. It is located on the bank of the ancient Brahmaputra River in the centre of the Mymensingh district.
Mymensingh district has an area of 4363.48 sq. Km. Garo Hills and the Meghalaya State of India on the north, Gazipur District on the south, Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts on the east, and Sherpur, Jamalpur, and Tangail districts on the west. There is a distinct conflict about the naming of the Mymensingh district among historians. In the sixteenth century, Alauddin Husain Shah (d. 1519) was the independent sultan of Bengal. 36 He established a new kingdom in the region named Nasirabad for his son, Syed Nasir Uddin Nasarat Shah (1518-1533). The name of Nasirabad was changed to Mymensingh due to a mistake. Baurjonlal Company ordered some agricultural products and requested these products to go to Nasirabad in Bangladesh. Mistakenly these products were sent away to Rajputana Nasirabad railway station in India. At that time, the names of the two provinces in Greater India were similar, so Nasirabad in Bangladesh was changed to Mihmanshahi to solve various problems. Afterwards, the Mihmanshahi region of Bangladesh was altered to 'Manmanisingh' and 'Mymensingh.' 37 On the other hand, according to the historian Mohar Ali, Mymensingh was named after Man Singh, the chief general of Emperor Akbar. Emperor Akbar sent General Man Singh to Nasirabad to defeat Isha Khan, the Bar Bhuiyan chief. Emperor Akbar's general, Man Singh, came to Nasirabad and fought with Isha Khan, and Man Singh was defeated. Later Nasirabad was changed to Mymensingh from the name of General Mansingh. 38 Thus, the name Mymensingh has been prevalent since Emperor Akbar's reign. During the British period, the government accepted the request of the rich zamindars or King of the Mymensingh region when they requested to name the district 'Mymensingh'. 39 Furthermore, Mymensingh City has many signs of Sufism. Among them are Bara Mosque and Bhati Kashar Mosque.

Faridpur District
Faridpur is an administrative division of the Dhaka division in the middle of Bangladesh. Its area is 2072.72 sq. Km. In the north of this district are Rajbari and Manikganj districts, the Gopalganj districts on the south, Dhaka, Munshiganj, and Madaripur districts on the east, and the Narail Magura districts on the west. The section of Faridpur was established in 1815. Faridpur has been named after 34 Biswas, Bangladesh River Cell, 399-400. 35 Bahauddin, "Sufism in Bangladesh," 7. 36 Ibid., 8. 37 Nujrul, Names of Districts in The Name of Sufi Saints, 03. 38 Ali, History of the Muslims of Bengal, 41-57. 39 Biswas, Bangladesh River Cell, 399-400.

DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT AND CIVILIZATION
Volume 13 Issue 1, Spring 2023 the renowned saint Sufi Shah Sheikh Fariduddin and his disciple Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (1143-1236. 40 Primarily, This district's name was 'Fatehabad.' When the Faridpur district was established in 1786, its name was Jalalpur. The head office was in Dhaka. 41 In 1807, it was segregated from Dhaka Jalalpur, called the Faridpur district. Head Quarter was established in Faridpur town. The Faridpur district was transformed into Faridpur, Rajbari, Gopalganj, Madaripur, and Shariatpur. This region is very well-known as the home of many saints and Sufis. 42  Habib Ullah, this township was first called "Habibganj" and later became the "Habiganj" district. 46 During British rule, Habiganj was declared a sub-district in 1867, and in 1878 Habiganj sub-district was formed. The historic old township was upgraded to a district on March 1, 1984. 47 There are various signs of Sufism in Habiganj district. Notable among them are the Syed Sultan Literary and Research Council,Sultanasi Habili Foundation,Syed Nasir Uddin Memorial Council,Murarband Darbar Sharif,and Ragib Rabeya Foundation. 3.11. Moulvibazar District Moulvibazar district is in the country's northeast, with great natural beauty. It is located with Sylhet district on the north, the Tripura state of India on the south, Assam and Tripura states of India on the east, and Habiganj district on the west. It is also an administrative area of the Sylhet division.  The influence of Sufism on the beliefs, practices, chants, traditions, and ideas of the people of Bengal has been actively and visibly felt since the beginning of the 13th century. Sufi activities were not static and limited but essential to Islam's spread. Sufism significantly impacted a tiny part of the population and overall society. 58 The Bengal Sufis are renowned for their simplicity of life, strength of character, spirits dedicated to faith, and peaceful efforts. Most Sufis focused on North India, and others turned to Bengal. Several factors help the Sufi mission in Bengal to succeed:

Influence of Sufis on the Establishment of Bengali Civilization
i.
The principal reason for the success of the Sufis in Bengal is their highest efforts, goodness, simplicity and, at the same time, admirable life. They cut all kinds of worldly ties and avoided comfort and pleasure.
Besides, the support of the Sultans under the auspices of the Sufis helped Bengal to succeed.
ii. The country's religious and social conditions helped them spread their faith. Buddhism and Hinduism were the two leading religions of Bengal, but their moral degradation was at its peak. There was a distinction and divination between people in society, but Islam offered people a golden opportunity to unify their social status. In this way, the Sufis were very successful. Sufis promoted social harmony by preaching tolerance and understanding. They also worked to bridge the gap between different religious communities. 59 iii.
The Bengali Sufis offered a path to spiritual development open to people of all backgrounds. They emphasise the importance of love, compassion, and self-discipline.
iv. Sufis used their charisma, piety, and knowledge of local culture to attract people to convert. They have dedicated their lives to Islam and the service of humanity.
v. Sufis played a significant role in developing Bengali culture. They introduced new art forms, such as sema music and poetry, and helped spread Bengali literature and education.
Sufis established the foundations of harmony and peace and found equality of status, love, and fraternity. They taught people to respect other people's religions, feelings, and practices. Thus, Sufism became an influential element in society. It was the contribution of Sufis to the improvement of society in Bangladesh. 60 The devotional practices and modest living traditions of the Sufis have influenced all people in Bengal. Their teachings of humanity and their love for Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) continue to remind them of mystical tales and hymns today. The Sufis were determined to avoid religious and social conflicts and sought to be peaceful elements of civil society. In addition, the DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT AND CIVILIZATION Volume 13 Issue 1, Spring 2023 accommodation, harmony, piety, and charismatic attitudes of the Sufis were the factors that helped Sufism to remain a pillar of mystical Islam in Bangladesh.

Conclusion
The article tries to shed light on why 11 of the 64 districts of Bangladesh are named after Sufism and the influence of Sufis on Bengali civilisation. As Sufism is a mystical tradition within Islam that emphasises the personal experience of the divine, it has played a significant role in developing the Bengal civilisation, both in terms of its religious and cultural impact. The continuous activity of Sufi preachers explains the widespread Islamic sentiment in Bangladesh. The Sufis introduced the mystical form of Islam. Sufi scholars who travelled from all over Continental Asia were instrumental in Bangladesh's social, economic, and philosophical development. In addition to preaching in prominent cities and centres of intellectual thought, Sufis reached marginalised rural communities. They preached the Islamic traditions in the Bangla, Sindhi, and West Bengal regions. Sufism emerged as a "moral and comprehensive socio-religious force" that influenced other religious traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. 61 The Pir and Awliya's tombs in Bangladesh are intertwined with religious culture. There is no area in which the influence of Sufism in the spread of Islam in Bangladesh can be denied. Sufis often even sacrificed their own lives to preach Islam in this country. 62 Many were martyred at the hands of Hindu kings. Many of them became tortured. Their contribution to the spread of Islam in 64 districts of Bangladesh cannot be ignored. The people of Bangladesh still commemorate their memory through various activities. In this context, the name of Bangladesh's main airport, 11 districts name of Bangladesh, countless universities in the country, and countless hospitals, colleges, madrasas, schools, and mosques, were chosen from Sufis' names. The history of Islam in Bangladesh can be deemed equivalent to the history of Sufism because the Islamic religious teachings, which still dominate the society, were conveyed through Sufism. Overall, Sufism has forever influenced Bengal's culture and civilisation. Its love, peace, and harmony messages have contributed to developing a distinctive and varied society that values individuality and fosters respect for others' viewpoints.
Sufism has had a profound impact on Bengal civilisation. It has helped shape the region's religious, cultural, and social fabric. Sufis continue to play an essential role in the lives of millions of people in Bengal. Today, Sufism remains an integral part of Bengali culture. Sufi shrines are famous pilgrimage destinations, and Sufi music and poetry are still widely enjoyed. Sufism has also significantly impacted the development of Bengali Islam, known for its emphasis on tolerance and moderation.