Deputy Speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah has passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in New York. He was 76. The valiant freedom fighter fought against the Pakistan Army in Sector 11 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. Fazle Rabbi, a seven times lawmaker from Gaibandha-5, is survived by his three daughters. His wife Anwara Rabbi passed away in May 2020. Nazmul Hasan, acting Consul General at the Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York, quoting Deputy Speaker's APS, told UNB that advocate Fazle Rabbi breathed his last on July 22 at 3.55pm (NY Time) at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York. "We are in touch with his family members and relatives in New York," he said, adding that necessary formalities needed to be done to repatriate his remains. Nazmul said they are expecting all documents to be ready by noon tomorrow and to get a flight in the evening. He was a reputed organizer and contributed much in creating public opinion in favor of the Liberation War abroad. Fazle Rabbi was Chairperson of Bangladesh Association for Voluntary Sterilization (BAVS), Gaibandha from 1980 to 81. He founded a good number of schools, colleges and madrasas in his own constituency. A reputed organiser who contributed much in creating public opinion in favour of the Liberation War abroad, Fazle Rabbi was born on April 16 in 1946 and was the founding Secretary of Gaibandha Law College from 1979 to 1986. He was also an elected Secretary of the Gaibandha Bar from 1978-79. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Fazle Rabbi. Also read: Hasina mourns Fazle Rabbi's demise In his condolence message, the President said the nation will remember late Fazle Rabbi's skills and experience in running Parliament and his contribution to the practice and development of parliamentary democracy with respect. The President also prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. In her condolence message, PM Hasina said Fazle Rabbi was involved in anti-Ayub movement and 1962's anti-education commission movement from student life. And during the Liberation War, he fought in Sector 11. "He will be remembered for his outstanding role in parliamentary democracy," the PM said. Hasina prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. Opposition Leader in Parliament Raushon Ershad also expressed deep shock at the death of Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah. In her condolence message, she said, “Rabbi, an advocate by profession, was active in politics and he worked for the country... People of the country will remember his contribution in the Liberation War and parliamentary democracy forever.” “His death is an irreparable loss in the political arena which will not be healed soon,” she added. Raushon also prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. Cabinet members including Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder and Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi also expressed profound shock at the death of the Deputy Speaker. In a condolence message on Saturday, the Foreign Minister said advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah worked for the welfare of the people throughout his life as a patriot and dedicated politician. As a highly skilled and experienced parliamentarian, the nation will forever remember the contribution he made to the practice of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh, Momen said. The Foreign Minister prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members. President of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Md. Jashim Uddin has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Deputy Speaker and freedom fighter advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah. In a condolence message, the FBCCI President prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family members.