Photo: BSS

By Muhammad Aminul Haque

SUNAMGANJ, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS) – Language Movement veteran of Sunamganj Abdur Rahim led a quiet and reclusive life, devoting himself to reading, writing and research.

An educationist and writer, Abdur Rahim was widely known in Sunamganj as a language activist of the historic 1952 Language Movement. 

He preferred a simple lifestyle and remained engaged in literary pursuits, particularly research on standard Bangla pronunciation and usage. 

He was also regarded as a socially conscious and multifaceted personality.

In 1952, he actively joined the movement demanding recognition of Bangla as a state language. During that time, he composed a long poetic work titled “Dhakai Karbala” in support of the language movement, which was later published in various compilations and created a significant impact among students.

In 1959, his essay “Bangla Bhasha O Bangla Shikkhoker Morjada” was published. In 1970, he edited a literary magazine titled “Unmochon” focusing on the Language Movement. 

His poetry book “Chokher Jole Hashi,” published in 1959, was reprinted twice. 

In 1999, he brought out a poetic translation of the Holy Quran.

Born in 1928 in a respectable Muslim family in Alampur village under Mollahpara Union of Sunamganj Sadar upazila, Abdur Rahim was the son of Haji Ibrahim Ali Munshi and Maleka Banu.

He began his education at a village primary school, becoming its first scholarship holder. 

Later, while studying in class-IV at Sunamganj M.E. (Middle English) Madrasah, he secured second position in a scholarship examination held under the then Assam government in the Surma Valley of undivided Assam-Sylhet.

In 1943, he was admitted to Government Jubilee High School, Sunamganj. 

In 1947, he passed the matriculation examination in first division under University of Calcutta from the same institution. 

He completed his IA in 1949 and BA in 1951 before entering service.

In 1952, he joined South Surma High School as a teacher and later taught at Raja G.C. High School in Sylhet. 

He also worked briefly in the postal department but left the job the same year and applied to rejoin the education department.

In 1953, he joined Government Jubilee High School, Sunamganj, as a Bangla teacher and served there until his retirement in 1985. 

From 1953 onwards, he was involved in editing all annual publications of the school and edited its magazine “Nabadiganta.”

After retirement, he taught at Sunamganj Girls’ High School for about three and a half years. In 2000, following the establishment of Child Care Academy, he was appointed principal and served there for some time. 

He later spent nearly one and a half decades in full retirement, contributing regularly to newspapers and magazines.

Alongside teaching, he remained engaged in wiring of poems, essays, and translation, editing and research. 

In 2007, he was associated with the publication of the biography of noted personality Munawar Ali.

Abdur Rahim passed away at the age of 92 at his residence in Sholaghar area of Sunamganj town. 

He was laid to rest at his family graveyard in the town.

In his personal life, he was the father of four sons and three daughters.