United News of Bangladesh

The Council of Advisers on Sunday formally adopted a condolence motion on the death of Civil Aviation, Tourism and Land Adviser AF Hassan Ariff, recalling his contributions and paying deep respect to him. The condolence motion was adopted at a special meeting of the Council of Advisers held at the Chief Adviser's Office with CA Dr Muhammad Yunus in the chair. Forest, Environment and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan placed the condolence motion proposal in the meeting which was unanimously adopted. Adviser AF Hassan Ariff passes away Hassan Ariff will be buried at the Mirpur intellectual graveyard at 10:30 am on Monday next to the grave of Bir Shreshtha Sipahi Hamidur Rahman. At the beginning of the meeting, one-minute silence was observed paying respect to Hassan Ariff. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and other advisors paid tributes to Hassan Ariff. "Today, I remember many things that keep coming to my mind. He kept reminding me that we belong to the same age. He had a simple approach like a child. He appeared to solve any problem that arose, wherever he saw any conflict. This wonderful man has left us," Prof Yunus said. Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said Hassan Ariff was a rare personality with his always smiling face. Reminiscing about his past working life, Jute Textiles and Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain said he is personally deeply saddened by the death of Hassan Ariff. Adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children Sharmeen Murshid said a beautiful relationship was developed with him after coming to work together here in the Council of Advisers. "He was an inspiration for us. Journalist Mahmodul Hoque no more Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said they miss Hassan Ariff Arif today in the Council of Advisers' meeting. "Without him, we will face irreparable loss." Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan described his experience working with Hassan Ariff Arif as a lawyer and said that he was always vocal in protecting human rights. Adilur Rahman said Hassan Ariff also worked as the founding vice-president of the human rights organisation Odhikar. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that Hassan Ariff was a dedicated and hardworking person who used to examine all the documents thoroughly. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that Hassan Ariff never took any work lightly. Home Affairs and Agriculture Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said Hassan Ariff was an amiable person that any problem could be solved by discussing with him. Energy and Road Transport Adviser M Fawzul Kabir Khan said there is a lot of division in the society and the number of people who can bridge this division is gradually decreasing. "He was accepted by all quarters." Recalling Hassan Ariff’s role during the signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997, Adviser on Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Supradeep Chakma said he (Ariff) used to think a lot about the people of the CHT. Local Government and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan said, "I got to know Hassan Ariff when I became part of the Council of Advisers, and I always found him by my side like a teacher." Information Adviser Nahid Islam said while working with Adviser Ariff,  he never felt the difference in terms of age gap as he used to mix with everyone sincerely. Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said he saw Adviser Ariff working sincerely in organizing a participatory election in 2008. "This time too, he worked with utmost dedication." Cabinet Secretary, Civil Aviation Secretary, and Land Secretary also spoke at the meeting.

The government has declared a day of national mourning on Monday (December 23) in honour of AF Hassan Ariff, Adviser to the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, who passed away on Friday. The announcement was made through a gazette notification on Sunday. As part of the observance, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational establishments, and both government and private buildings across the country. Bangladesh missions abroad will also follow suit. Besides, special prayers will be held at mosques nationwide, seeking eternal peace for the departed soul. Other religious institutions will organise prayers and rituals in accordance with their respective faiths. Adviser Hassan Ariff’s 2nd namaj-e-janaza held Hassan Ariff, aged 85, passed away on Friday (Dec 20), while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital. The nation mourns the loss of an esteemed figure who served with dedication and commitment in his advisory role.

The second namaz-e-janaza of adviser to interim government adviser AF Hassan Ariff  was held  on the High Court premises on Saturday morning.  Arrif, who was adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Ministry of Land, passed away at a hospital in the capital on Friday at the age of 85. Ariff’s first namaz-e-janaza was held at Baitul Aman Mosque on Dhanmondi Road 7 after the Isha prayers on Friday.Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus attended it.  Adviser AF Hassan Ariff passes away Professor Muhammad Yunus rushed to Labaid Hospital in Dhanmondi from the airport to pay last respects to adviser Ariff and expressed deep shock at his death.  His another ( third) namaz-e-janaza will be held at 12 pm at the  Bangladesh Secretariat for the late adviser organised by Ministry of LGRD, Land & Civil Aviation, public relations officer of  land minister Ahsan Karim told UNB. Decision regarding his burial will be taken after the arrival of his daughter, who is currently abroad. Ariff was appointed as an adviser to the interim government on August 8. The following day, he was entrusted with overseeing the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD). On August 27, he took on additional responsibilities as the adviser to the Ministry of Land. On November 10, he was released from the LGRD Ministry and tasked with managing the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism while continuing to oversee the Land Ministry.

A case has been filed against Muazz Ariff, son of Land AF Hassan Ariff, on charge of domestic violence.Madhabi Akter Nila, ex-wife of Muazz, filed the case with Ramna police station on Monday.Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of Ramna zone of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said the case was filed under the Women and Child Repression Prevention Act. 832 cases filed over traffic rules violation in DhakaProcess is on to take further action in this regard after investigation, he said.

A. F. Hassan Ariff, Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Land, visited Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday night to check on the four injured staff members of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). Arriving at the hospital around 10 pm, Adviser Ariff inquired about the condition of the injured workers and directed medical staff to ensure they received proper treatment. Hospital officials reported that they are all out of danger. People want to see a new era in journalism: Adviser Nahid Earlier this morning, four DNCC staff members were injured in a bomb explosion while collecting garbage from a dustbin in an open place of the Mohammadpur Geneva Camp. The injured workers have been identified as Md Alamgir Hossain, 36, Md Yasin, 40, Asad Mia, 58, and Saiful Islam, 47. During his visit, Adviser Arif also inquired about the condition of students injured in the recent anti-discrimination student movement and spoke with them. Tenure of elected government should be 4 years: LGRD Adviser DNCC Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan was present during the visit and confirmed that the DNCC has made all necessary arrangements for the treatment of the injured cleaning workers.