Veteran lyricist and poet Fazal-e-Khuda, known for penning the patriotic song “Salam Salam Hajar Salam”, passed away in the early hours of Sunday after losing battle against COVID-19.

The noted lyricist breathed his last around 4 am at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in the capital, his son Sajib Onasis and daughter-in-law Farhana Tania told the media .

On June 29, Fazal-E-Khuda and his wife Mahmuda Sultana were diagnosed with coronavirus and started receiving treatment at their home. He was then taken to the hospital on June 30 due to breathing difficulties.

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Born in Banagram, Pabna on March 9, 1941, Fazal-E-Khuda is highly revered for writing the song “Salam Salam Hajar Salam”, which has been ranked number 14 to the 20 best Bangla songs of all-time in a 2006 survey by BBC.

The song, sang by late eminent singer Abdul Jabbar, is considered one of the best patriotic Bengali songs ever that transcend the emotion of honouring the sacrifice of the Freedom Fighters in the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.

Some of his other notable songs include “Je Deshete Shapla Shaluk Jhiler Jole Bhashe”, “Bhalobashar Mullo Koto, Ami Kichu Jani Na”, "Bhabna Amar Ahoto Pakhir Moto" and “Kolshi Kaandhe Ghaate Jai Kon Ruposhi”, to name a few. He was a well-respected lyricist and was known for writing many other patriotic, modern, folk, and Islamic songs.

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Fazal-e-Khuda was listed as a lyricist on the radio in 1963 and was also listed as a lyricist on television  the following year. Alongside his versatile career as a poet and author, he had served as the regional director of Dhaka Betar.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock at his death.