Obituary
PM mourns death of noted singer Shafin Ahmed
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Shafin Ahmed, a popular musician and son of legendary Nazrul Sangeet singer Feroza Begum.
In a condolence message, she prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.
President mourns death of ex-lawmaker Manjur Hossain Bulbul
Shafin, a founder of the band Miles, breathed his last at a hospital in the US state of Virginia on Thursday morning (Bangladesh time). He was 63.
Shafin Ahmed, band music icon and former Miles frontman, no more
Shafin Ahmed, unanimously regarded as Bangladesh’s one of the most popular and iconic band artists and former frontman of the legendary Bangladeshi band Miles, has passed away at age 63.
The popular Bangladeshi rock bassist, singer-songwriter, and record producer breathed his last while on life support in a hospital in Virginia, United States, on Wednesday (local time) due to heart and kidney failure, according to the Bangladesh Band Music Fans Community (BBMFC).
Born on February 14, 1961, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, to the subcontinent’s pioneering music artists Kamal Dasgupta and Feroza Begum, Shafin Ahmed joined the Bangladeshi rock band Miles in 1979.
Alongside his brother and another iconic Bangladeshi music artist, Hamin Ahmed, he performed in Miles first as an acoustic guitarist and later became the band’s lead singer and bassist in 1991.
After moving to Dhaka during childhood, Shafin Ahmed began his musical career at the age of nine by taking lessons about Nazrul Sangeet, courtesy of his iconic parents. He was exposed to Western musical influences since he studied in England, along with his elder brother Hamin Ahmed, after completing his schooling at the St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Continuing with Miles as the vocalist, songwriter, composer, and bass guitarist from 1979, Shafin Ahmed first left the band in 2009. He rejoined in 2014 and continued till 2017, left for the second time, and rejoined for his final run with the band in 2018, after permanently leaving the band in 2021.
Despite his creative disputes with his bandmates at Miles, Shafin Ahmed performed and collaborated on every album of the band, starting with Miles (1982) and progressing to A Step Farther (1986), Protisruti (the band’s maiden Bengali album, 1991), Prottasha (1993), Prottoy (1996), Proyash (1997), Probaho (2000), Protiddhoni (2006), Proticchobi (2015), and Proborton (2016). After leaving Miles in 2009, he formed his own band, Rhythm of Life, in 2010, which continued till 2014.
Shafin Ahmed simultaneously made his place in the country’s music industry as one of its most popular and iconic singers, courtesy of his popular songs, including ‘Aj Jonmodin Tomar’, which is often considered as the anthem of birthday celebrations in the country. Written and composed by eminent music producer Prince Mahmud, the song was first featured in Prince’s mixed album Daag Theke Jay (2004).
As the frontman of Miles, Shafin Ahmed is also acclaimed for many popular and superhit tracks, including ‘Phiriye Dao’, ‘Dhiki Dhiki’, ‘Neela’, ‘Chad Tara Surjo',''Ki Jaadu’, ‘Jani Tumi’ and more.
He also released several solo albums, including Tomakey (1987), Pagla Ghonti (1998), Chobi Ar Sritigulo (1999), Best of Shafin Ahmed (2001), Kotodin Dekhina Tomay (2006), Virus (2006), Harano Shukh (2007), My Love Songs (2010), and Mone Pore Aj (Nazrul Songs, as a tribute to his mother Feroza Begum, 2016).
Besides his successful musical career, Shafin Ahmed also took part in the nation’s politics and even contested at the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in 2019 for the mayor position from the Jatiya Party.
Read more: Will accept whatever results may be, says Shafin
Khandaker Delwar’s son Dablu dies
Abdul Hamid Dablu, son of the late BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, died on Tuesday. He was 55.
Dablu, a member of BNP’s central executive committee, breathed his last at a private hospital in the capital around 3:12 pm, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
He is survived by his wife, three brothers, two sisters, and a host of relatives mourning his death.
Dablu's brother Khondkar Akbar Hossain Bablu said his brother will be buried beside the graves of his parents in Mankganj’s Baniajuri area.
Ex-BNP MP Nadim Mostafa dies
Former MP and BNP Executive Committee member Nadim Mostafa passed away in a hospital in the capital on Sunday. He was 62.
Nadim breathed his last around 11 am at United Hospital, said BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan.
He suffered a heart attack in the morning and was immediately taken to United Hospital.
The BNP leader is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter, and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.
Upon hearing the news of Nadim’s demise, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited the hospital and spoke with the bereaved family members.
In separate condolence messages, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep shock over Nadim’s death.
Meanwhile, his body was taken to the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office in the afternoon, enabling party leaders and activists to have a last glimpse of their late leader.
Party senior leaders placed wreaths on his coffin and draped it with a party flag as a mark of respect for him.
Later, party leaders and workers joined a namaz-e-janaz for Nadim there and offered a munajat seeking the salvation of his departed soul.
Party sources said Nadim’s body is being taken to Rajshahi where he will be buried at Hetekha Graveyard in the city after Zuhr prayers on Monday following three janazas at Durgapur, Puthia, and at the Eidgah Ground.
Nadim, a close associate of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, was elected MP from the Rajshahi-4 seat as a BNP candidate in 1996 and 2001.
He previously served as the BNP’s Special Secretary and General Secretary of the party’s Rajshahi city and district units.
Economist Prof Mahbub Ullah's wife passes away
Begum Umme Salma Mahbub, wife of former teacher of Dhaka University and prominent economist Professor Mahbub Ullah, has passed away.
She was 78.
Salma Mahbub breathed her last at her Green Road resistance in Dhaka early today (June 27).
Noted sports organiser Kutubuddin Akseer passes away
Salma had been suffering from cancer and dementia for a long time.
She left behind her husband, 3 daughters and a host of relatives to mourn her death.
Salma was the founding president of Pabna district unit BNP. She was also a member of Jatiya Sangsad during the rule of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
Celebrated taxpayer Haji Md Kaus Mia passes away
She was buried in Mirpur graveyard following the namaz-e-janaza after the Juhr prayer.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep shock and sorrow at the demise of Umme Salma Mahbub.
Celebrated taxpayer Haji Md Kaus Mia passes away
Haji Mohammad Kaus Mia, owner of Hakimpuri jarda and one of country’s top taxpayers, passed away in the capital early Monday at the age of 94.
Kaus Mia, renowned for his philanthropy, breathed his last at 12:40 am at Asgar Ali Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for old-age ailments.
Kaus Mia's daughter Khadiza Kaus Beauty and son Jahangir Mia confirmed the death.
He is survived by his wife, eight sons and eight daughters.
His namaz-e-janaza was held at Armanitola ground in the capital after Zohr prayers today. Later, he will be buried at Azimpur graveyard.
He was recently brought to the country after treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.
His death has cast a shadow of mourning in Chandpur city, Puranbazar and his birth place Rajarajeshwar.
In 2021, the government recognised him as the best individual taxpayer of the Mujib Year for his continuous payment of high tax.
BNP's Italy chapter president AQM Razzak passes away
Haji AQM Razzak, the president of BNP's Italy chapter passed away on Sunday night. He was 68.
Razzak, who had long been suffering from various health complications, breathed his last around 10 pm while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Rome, according to a party press release on Monday night.
In a condolence message, BNP secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed profound sorrow and grief over his death.
He recalled Razzak’s pivotal role in establishing BNP in Italy on a strong and dynamic foundation, inspired by the principles and ideals of former President Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.
Fakhrul expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for the eternal peace of Razzak's departed soul.
BCB Director Alamgir Khan Alo passes away
Renowned sports organiser and director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Alamgir Khan Alo, passed away at a hospital in the capital on Wednesday morning, He was 72.
He had been suffering from various complicated diseases for a long time.
Alo was also the general secretary of the Barishal Divisional Sports Association.
A former executive committee member of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and a former councillor of the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA), Alo played an important role in the development of the country's sports.
Meanwhile, BCB, in a media release, expressed profound grief at the passing of its director.
Alo, who was first elected as a BCB Director in 2017, representing Barishal Division, was elected again for the second term.
The BCB extended its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family of Alamgir Khan Alo.
Bangladesh Olympic Association also condoled the passing of Alo.
Actress Rista Laboni Shimana passes away
Popular model and actress Rista Laboni Shimana passed away on Tuesday (June 04, 2024) morning due to a brain haemorrhage at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). She was 39.
Her brother, Ejaz Bin Ali, and her ex-husband, singer Parvez Sazzad, confirmed the matter.
Anhar Ahmed Chowdhury passes away
Shimana breathed her last around 6:00 am on Tuesday. Earleir, she was admitted to a hospital on May 21 after suffering a brain stroke and having been unconscious for the past 14 days. She went through several complications and was put on life support.
According to her family, Shimana fell ill all of a sudden on the night of May 21 and was rushed to a private hospital in Dhaka's Dhanmondi. Later, she was shifted to another hospital in Dhanmondi for better treatment the following day.
National flag’s first designer Shib Narayan passes away
The actress was then admitted to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in the capital's Agargaon, where she underwent brain surgery on May 25. Due to her deteriorating health, she was then moved to BSMMU, where she was put on life support last Wednesday.
Rista Laboni Shimana entered the country’s entertainment arena in 2006 with the star-studded Lux-Channel i Superstar competition, which launched the careers of several popular actresses, including the winner of that season, Zakia Bari Momo, runners-up Afsana Ara Bindu and Azmeri Haque Badhon, and others.
Veteran social worker Aziz Mallick passes away
She appeared in Tauquir Ahmed's film "Daruchini Dwip," which also featured her other contestants from that competition, and gained critical acclaim for her acting.
Since then, Shimana has been a regular in television dramas and series, commercials, and films.
After getting married to the popular singer Parvez Sazzad in 2014, Shimana took a hiatus from the industry for a while in 2016 due to her motherhood. The couple eventually got divorced later, Shimana got married for the second time in 2019, and the actress returned to the industry last year.
President mourns death of ex-lawmaker Manjur Hossain Bulbul
President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Friday expressed profound shock at the death of former lawmaker and secretary to the President Office Manjur Hossain Bulbul.
In a condolence message, the president prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Bulbul was elected lawmaker from Faridpur-1 constituency.