Journalist Abul Maksud laid to rest at Azimpur graveyard

710

DHAKA, Feb 24, 2021 (BSS) – Journalist, researcher and civil society figure
Syed Abul Maksud was laid to eternal rest at the Azimpur graveyard here a day
after he breathed his last following sudden illness at the age of 74.

The body of the prominent columnist was kept at Jatiya Press Club (JPS)
and the Central Shaheed Minar for sometime before burial to allow people from
all walks of life, including his fellow colleagues to pay homage to him and
have their last glimpses.

Maksud’s body was taken to the JPC from Square Hospital at noon where his
first namaz-e-janaza was held with the participation of a huge number of
senior journalists and his fellow colleagues.

Among others, former information advisor to the Prime Minister Iqbal Sobhan
Chowdhury, JPC General Secretary Ilias Khan and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
(BSS) Managing Editor Anisur Rahman joined the namaz-e-janaza.

JPC General Secretary Farida Yeasmin was present on the occasion, among
others.

Following the namaz-e-janaza, on behalf of the national news agency BSS
which is one of the workplaces of the eminent journalist Abul Maksud, its
Managing Editor Anisur Rahman along with other journalists of the agency paid
rich tributes to Maksud by placing a wreath on his coffin.

Besides, homage was also paid to the eminent columnist on behalf of the
JPC, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Dhaka Union of Journalists,
Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), Dhaka Sub-Editors’ Council and Press Information
Department (PID).

Later, his body was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar where different
political parties, including the ruling Awami League (AL), and others social
and cultural organisations paid rich tributes to the prominent journalist.

On behalf of AL, its Presidium Member Abdur Razzaque along with other party
leaders paid homage to Abul Maksud by placing a wreath on his coffin on the
Shaheed Minar premises.

AL Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua, Cultural Affairs Secretary
Asim Kumar Ukil and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan were present on the
occasion.

Besides, representatives from Dainik Prothomalo, Dainik Samakal,
Ganasanghati Andolan, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Bam Ganatantrik Jote,
Bangladesh National Awami Party, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh
Chhatra League, Swechhasebok League, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Bhasani
Anushari Parishad and Biplobi Workers paid homage to Abul Maksud.

Later, another namaz-e-janaza was held at Dhaka University central mosque.

Family sources said Maksud, who is prominently known as a columnist and
civil society leader, suddenly fell ill at his Dhanmondi residence in the
afternoon on Tuesday prompting family members to rush him to Dhaka’s Square
Hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

“He complained of breathing problems . . . we took him to the hospital
where he was declared dead,” his banker son Syed Nasif Masud said.

Maksud hailed from Manikganj and on conclusion of education he began his
career as a government information official ahead of making his debut in
journalism, joining the now-defunct Bangladesh Press International (BPI).

He joined national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) after the
merger of BPI in mid 1970s.

A left-leaning Maksud quit BSS in 2004 to be a freelancer and began to
wear monk-like white robes as a protest following the US invasion of Iraq.

He briefly served as founding Editor of Chattogram based newspaper Dainik
Suprobhat Bangladesh.

Maksud left behind his wife, a son, a daughter and a host of admires to
mourn his death.

He authored a number of research works on political history of Indian sub-
continent and the then East Pakistan and known for his extensive studies on
Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani.

In recent period, he appeared as a major campaigner for road safety.

BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad and former BSS
managing director and chief editor and Prime Minister’s incumbent Press
Secretary Ihsanul Karim mourned his death.