National prof Salahuddin passes away
National prof Salahuddin passes away
National Professor and renowned historian Salahuddin Ahmed passed away yesterday at the age of 92.
He was laid to eternal rest at Banani Graveyard with state honour after Maghrib prayers. Earlier, his namaz-e-janaza was held at Dhaka University's central mosque after Asar prayers.
Prof Salahuddin, who was awarded the Ekushey Padak and had helped the publishing of the Unfinished Memoirs by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, left behind three sisters and two brothers, a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. His wife died in 2011. He has no children.
Kader Newaz Khan, a nephew of the late professor, told The Daily Star that Prof Salahuddin was buried in his father's grave.
The body of the professor was earlier taken to the Central Shaheed Minar around 3:00pm where people of all walks of life paid their last tributes.
On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the premier's military secretary Maj Gen Miah Md Jainul Abedin, and Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, and Awami League Organising Secretary AFM Bahahuddin Nasim placed floral wreaths on his body.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, Bangla Academy Director General Shamsuzzaman Khan, Prof Begum Hosne Ara, Prof Muntasir Mamun, Ramendu Majumder, Mofidul Haque also went to the Shaheed Minar to pay homage.
They described his passing away as an irreparable loss for the nation.
The education minister said Prof Salahuddin was among the few who worked to resist history distortion.
The DU VC hoped that the new generation would learn from the professor's life and work.
Bangladesh History Association, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, 71-er Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee, Shilpakala Academy, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Kendriya Khelaghor, National University, Central Museum, Jatiya Kobita Parishad, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, had also paid their tributes.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the home of the late professor around 10:30am and stayed there for 20 minutes, PM's Assistant Press Secretary Asif Kabir told The Daily Star.
During the visit, she conveyed her sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul. “Dr Salauddin's death caused an irreparable loss for the nation,” Kabir quoted the prime minister as saying.
Prof Salahuddin was born in 1922 in Faridpur. He obtained his BA honours and MA degrees from the Calcutta University and subsequently MA and PhD degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, USA, and University of London, UK.
His teaching career began in 1948 when he joined the capital's Jagannath College, [now university] as a lecturer of history.
He served as lecturer and professor of history at the Rajshahi University, and later as professor of history at Jahangirnagar and Dhaka universities.
“Social ideas and social change in Bengal 1818-1835”, “Bangladesh: Traditional and transformation”, “Bangladesher jatiya chetona unmesh o bikash”, Bangladesh otit bortoman”, and “Bangaleer shadhona o Bangladesher muktijuddho”, are among the notable books he authored.