JS adopts condolence motion at deaths of Syed Ashraf, 7 ex-MPs

I always considered him my younger brother, PM about the late AL leader

January 30, 2019, 08:29 PM
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UNB News
Publish- January 30, 2019, 08:29 PM

JS adopts condolence motion at deaths of Syed Ashraf, 7 ex-MPs

Parliament unanimously adopts a condolence motion expressing profound grief at the deaths of Public Administration Minister and MP of the 11th parliament Syed Ashraful Islam, seven former MPs and some noted personalities on Wednesday. Photo: PID

Dhaka, Jan 30 (UNB) – Parliament on Wednesday unanimously adopted a condolence motion expressing profound grief at the deaths of Public Administration Minister and MP of the 11th parliament Syed Ashraful Islam, seven former MPs and some noted personalities.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House in the first sitting of the opening session of the 11th parliament.

The seven late former MPs are Khandaker Abdul Baten, Nurul Alam Chowdhury, Tariqul Islam (former BNP minister), Dr TIM Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury (ex-minister), Maulana Nurul Islam (ex-state minister), Ashrafun Nesa Mosharraf and Borhan Uddin Khan.

The noted personalities are ex-Speaker Humayun Rashid Choudhury’s wife Mehzabin Choudhury, legendary filmmaker, actor and writer Amjad Hossain, renowned singer, lyricist and freedom fighter Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, noted filmmaker of the subcontinent Mrinal Sen, female freedom fighter Bir Protik Taramon Bibi, National Emblem designer Mohammad Idris, noted journalist Shahriar Shahid, Language Movement hero Syed Abdul Hannan, freedom fighter of Bangladesh Liberation War and retired brigadier of Indian Army Kuldip Sing Chandpuri, filmmaker Saidul Anam Tutul and renowned photographer Anwar Hossain.

Besides, the House expressed shock at the deaths of those who were killed in the recent air crash and tsunami in Indonesia, California wildfire in the USA and accidents that took place at home and abroad.

Participating in the discussion on the condolence motion, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recalled Syed Ashraful’s contributions to Awami League and democracy. “I always considered him as my younger brother,” she said, adding that Syed Ashraf was a good friend of her brother Sheikh Kamal who was killed along with most of their family members on August 15, 1975.

Sheikh Hasina said she found Syed Ashraf as one of her close ones after losing her brothers. “I used to treat him like my sibling,” she said in her an emotion-choked voice.

She said the late Awami League leader was very honest and meritorious and he possessed political knowledge and wisdom.

Recalling his contributions to democracy and the party after the 1/11 political changeover, the Prime Minister said he played a bold role for the party in the difficult time of the emergency period.

Noting that Syed Ashraf performed his responsibility of acting general secretary of Awami League in the tough time, she said he had contributions to restoration of the today’s democracy. “Losing a talented person like Ashraf is truly an irreparable loss for the party and the country. Cancer snatched him from us,” the Prime Minister said.

Syed Ahraful Islam, who was re-elected MP from Kishoreganj-1 constituency in the December-30 general election, died on January 3 last at a Thailand hospital while undergoing treatment.

The members of the House also observed a one-minute silence to pay respects to the memories of the deceased.

A munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed souls was offered in the House. Bazlul Haque Haroon, AL MP from Jhalokathi-1 constituency, conducted the munajat.