Bangladeshi makes world’s largest tasbih for Erdogan

DHAKA, Bangladesh

It takes two-and-a-half hours by train to reach the east-central district of Brahmanbaria, more than 62 miles (100 kilometers) from Dhaka.

The journey is not at all boring if the weather is nice. You can enjoy a short view of natural Bangladesh including green fields and river on the route.

The rest way to reach the remote village of Jalsukla takes 40 minutes by a three-wheeler easy-bike with the sights of rural locals working on both sides of the rough roads.

At his home, Abdullah al-Haider claims to be the maker of world’s largest tasbih, or a chain of beads to remember Allah.

He made it for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The die-hard fan of Erdogan, told Anadolu Agency he worked hard for two months to make the tasbih.

“I worked five to 10 hours per day. Whenever, I thought about Erdogan I sat to knit the Tasbih,” Haider said. It weighs 149 pounds (67.5 kilograms) while its length is 4,500 feet (1.3 kilometers).

“I have used a total 167,500 beads of four colors -- green, black, golden and white -- and maintained a counting system after every thousand,” Haider said.

The cost to buy the beads was 150,000 Bangladeshi taka ($1,787), Haider said, adding if he gets the opportunity to give the tasbih to Erdogan, he would add more to beautify it.

The toilsome job is not a childish practice for Haider. It is his way of expressing love to Erdogan’s humanitarian works worldwide and his unequivocal voice for the rights of oppressed people, especially Muslims.

“I love Erdogan as he loves people and hates tyranny and working for the oppressed people in Palestine, Kashmir, Myanmar, Syria and Yemen,” an emotional Haider said. “Turkey with the leadership of Erdogan has been wholeheartedly working for the persecuted Rohingya Muslims who fled a brutal crackdown in Maynmar.”

But why a tasbih for Erdogan? Haider said Erdogan is a pious man and tasbih reminds us of Allah. “I have discovered Erdogan after hearing his recitation from the Holy Quran and declaring sweet ‘Azaan,’” he said of the Muslim call to prayer.

Referring to Erdogan’s initiative of making the biggest mosque in Asia and Europe, Haider said that his respect to Erdogan increased day by day.

Bangladesh is a country with huge number of Erdogan’s fans. Youths especially, frequently represent Erdogan as a great leader in social media posts.

Many young Bangladeshis use Erdogan’s picture in covering their social media page.

Anadolu Agency noticed people gathering in Haider’s house and applauding him for making the tasbih for Erdogan.

“I like this act as it will also encourage other world leaders to act properly in favor of justice and humanity,” 80-year-old Muslim Uddin told Anadolu Agency.

Young resident Ariful Islam said he wants to be like Erdogan who loves Islam and peace and works for human rights.

“If Erdogan accepts this tasbih, it will be a great success for us to prove our love for good,” Rassel Karim, Haider’s friend, told Anadolu Agency.

Haider, however, dreams Erdogan once will be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his good deeds to humanity and tremendous fight for world peace and his “love-born” tasbih will carry significance.