Hassan Ariff will be remembered thru his works

Colleagues, friends and well-wishers of late Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser A F Hassan Ariff paid rich tribute to his memory yesterday.

In their immediate reaction to BSS, they said the late Supreme Court lawyer will be remembered forever through his works and ideals.

The country had lost an eminent lawyer and an excellent human being at his death, they added.     

They made the remarks following his Second Namaj-e-Janaza held at Bangladesh Supreme Court premises yesterday morning.

Hassan Ariff died of a cardiac arrest at the capital's Labaid Specialized Hospital yesterday at the age of 83.

Eminent Jurist and Constitution expert Dr Kamal Hossain expressed deep shock at the demise of his close friend and long-time colleague Hassan Ariff.

"We have lost an experienced lawyer and a good friend. His loss has created a vacuum in the Supreme Court Bar. He was one of the lawyers who worked with compassion for the country," he added.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Barrister A M Mahbub Uddin Khokon said no one can raise a question over Ariff's integrity as he earned respect from everyone during his long professional career.

Bangladesh Bar Council Vice-Chairman Zainul Abedin said, "In 2001, the then prime minister Khaleda Zia asked me to find a good lawyer suitable for appointing as the Attorney General. Later, I introduced Hassan Ariff to her. Finally, Ariff was appointed Attorney General and served for a long time."

He was known as a good lawyer in the legal field, Zainul said, adding that his vacuum cannot be fulfilled in the country.

Bangladesh Bar Council Enrollment Committee Member Ruhul Quddus Kajal said, "There are very few people who have served in important positions in the state during both the caretaker government and the interim government."

Hassan Ariff was a very learned and honest man, he said, adding that as the Attorney General, he played a crucial role in the field of law and justice.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said, "Ariff had many dreams for Bangladesh. He always thought for the country's welfare."

Meanwhile, the third namaz-e-janaza of Hassan Ariff was held at the Bangladesh Secretariat on the same day.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Nasreen Jahan attended the janaza, among others, said an official handout.

While delivering a memorial speech after paying tribute to Hassan Ariff, Rizwana said Hassan Ariff was a perfect lawyer whose contributions to establishing environmental justice, in addition to his professional responsibilities, remained unparalleled.

His professional integrity, compassionate outlook, and application of law for environmental conservation stand as an inspiring model for all, she said

"As an environmental lawyer, whenever I sought his guidance, he prioritised advising on cases involving encroachments of sand, hills, and rivers, setting aside personal legal matters," she said.

After the namaz-e-janaza, various ministries paid rich tributes to the late adviser Ariff by placing wreaths on the coffin.