Last tribute to Abdul Jabbar

People from all walks of life thronged the capital's Central Shaheed Minar yesterday to pay tribute to eminent singer Abdul Jabbar.

He was given a guard of honour after his body was taken there around 11:30am.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Cultural Affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor, PM's secretary Abu Naser Chowdhury, freedom fighters, and activists of different socio-cultural organisations placed wreaths on his coffin.

His first namaz-e-janaza was held at Dhaka University central mosque after the Zohr prayers. Later, the body was taken to Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard for burial. The legendary singer passed away on Wednesday.

Abdul Jabbar inspired people through his songs from Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the 1971 Liberation War. Jabbar received many prestigious awards. He won, among others, Bangabandhu Swarna Padak (1973), Ekushey Padak (1980), Shadhinata Padak (1996), Zahir Raihan Chalachchitra Purashkar, BACHSAS Award and Mother Teresa Award.

Born in Kushtia, Jabbar first took music lessons from Ustad Osman Gani and Ustad Lutfel Haque. He became an enlisted singer at Bangladesh Betar (radio) in 1958 and Bangladesh Television (BTV) in 1964.