Hasan Azizul Huq laid to rest

Eminent writer Hasan Azizul Huq was laid to rest on the premises of Rajshahi University Central Library at 3pm yesterday.

Huq was buried beside the grave of Liberation War martyr Sukhoranjan Samaddar near the entrance of the library.

Before the burial, Huq's body was taken to the philosophy department of the university at 11:30am and then to RU Central Shaheed Minar premises around noon.

His namaz-e-janaza was held at RU Central Jame Mosque after the Zohr prayers.

Hundreds of people -- including poets, reciters, academicians, students, singers, filmmakers, actors, lawyers, politicians, social workers, professionals, street vendors -- people of all ages, from all classes and occupations gathered to bid him farewell.

At the Shaheed Minar, wreaths were placed on his coffin on behalf of President Abdul Hamid, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"I could not sit hearing his death, none who know him could. He is going to live for thousands of years," said filmmaker Giasuddin Selim.

"He left us huge resources to explore in his writings," said filmmaker Akram Khan, who made the films "Khacha" (the cage) and "Bidhobader Kotha" based on Huq's stories.

"He was like the pole star in our lives. It feels as if a darkness has covered our soul," said retired teacher Mamtaz Begum, who was seen to have come in a wheelchair to pay her last respects to the writer.

"We will bury the writer, but his writings will show us the way for eternity," said Theatre activist SM Abu Bakar.

Enamul Hossain, a local tea-stall owner, said, "I have known Sir since the 90s and he has always been good to me. I will miss him."

After the janaza prayers, Huq's son Imtiaz Hasan called upon all to follow the path the writer showed them and pray for his departed soul.

Huq began his career in literature in his student life in the '60s -- the first publication being Samudrer Swapna: Shiter Aranya (1964). He was awarded the Bangla Academy award in 1970, the most prestigious Ekushey Medal in 1999 and Independence Award in 2019.

Huq was also a helmsman of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee in Rajshahi when Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam called out for a struggle to try the Pakistani collaborators.

He breathed his last at his home, "Ujan", at Bihas residential area near RU campus at 9pm on Monday at the age of 82.