‘An ideal politician’

The first death anniversary of former general secretary of Awami League and public administration minister Syed Ashraful Islam was observed with due solemnity yesterday.

Marking the day, Awami League, its front and associate organisations paid rich tributes to Syed Ashraf by placing wreaths at his grave in Banani in the morning, reports BSS.

On behalf of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, party General Secretary Obaidul Quader paid homage to Ashraf. Flanked by senior leaders, Quader also placed another wreath at Ashraf’s grave on behalf of AL.

He said Ashraf was an idol for the country’s politicians and his sacrifice and contributions will be remembered forever.

Syed Ashraf was an ideal politician. He was elected [AL] general secretary two times in a row, Quader said. “He will remain an example [for politicians] to follow.”

Quader was accompanied by AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, Information and Research Secretary Dr Selim Mahmud, Education and Human Resources Secretary Shamsun Nahar Chapa, Agriculture and Cooperative Affairs Secretary Faridunnahar Laili and Central Working Committee members Riazul Kabir Kawsar and Marufa Akhter Poppy.

Afterwards, leaders and activists of Dhaka north and south units of AL, Jubo League, Chhatra League, Swechhasebak League, Krishak League, Mahila Awami League, Jubo Mahila League and Syed Ashraf Smrity Parishad paid their tributes.

During the time, Kishoreganj-1 constituency lawmaker Dr Syeda Zakia Noor, younger sister of Syed Ashraf, offered prayers seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of her late brother.

SYED ASHRAF REMEMBERED IN M’SINGH

Mymensingh district and city unit of AL also observed the day in a befitting manner.

AL leaders placed wreaths at the portrait of Syed Ashraf at his hometown in Mymensingh in the morning. Special prayers were held marking the occasion, followed by discussions, reports our correspondent.

Syed Ashraf was the eldest son of Syed Nazrul Islam, acting president of the 1971 Mujibnagar government.

Born in Mymensingh in 1952, Ashraf started his political career during his student years with Chhatra League and became general secretary of its greater Mymensingh district unit. He was a member of the Mukti Bahini during the Liberation War.

Following the killing of his father on November 3, 1975, inside Dhaka Central Jail along with three other national leaders, he left the country for the UK. There, he engaged in activism with the Bangladeshi community, and worked to organise AL in the UK.

On his return home in 1996, he was elected MP and served as the state minister for civil aviation and tourism ministry from 1996-2001. During his second term in parliament from 2001-2006, he was a member of the House committee on foreign affairs.

After the 2008 election win, he became minister for the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. Later in July 2015, he was given the charge of the public administration ministry, a post he held till his death.

During the turbulent times of the 1/11 changeover, Ashraf, together with another AL veteran Zillur Rahman, ran the party when Sheikh Hasina was in jail.

One of the brightest stars in Bangladesh politics, Ashraf was known for his honesty, humility and simplicity. He was a charismatic leader too, but more than anything else, he commanded respect from across the political spectrum, a rarity in politics.

Ashraf, who stood by his party -- Awami League -- in good times and bad, died on January 3, 2019 at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand at the age of 68.

His death came just four days after he was elected MP from Kishoreganj-1, a constituency he represented since 1996.