Nation bids farewell to Muhith
Tributes continue to pour in for AMA Muhith -- former finance minister, economist, diplomat, freedom fighter, Language Movement veteran, writer and historian. After the shocking news of his death, the country's people, including intellectuals and leaders, have recalled the impacts he made in many fields.
Sylhet is prepared to bid the final farewell to Muhith, while the district unit of Awami League has declared two days of mourning.
Muhith's body will be placed in front of Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar at noon today, to let people from all walks of life pay their respects to the veteran politician, said Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, acting president of AL's Sylhet district unit.
After Zohr prayers, his last namaz-e-janaza will take place in the field of Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa. Muhith will be laid to rest at his family graveyard in Sylhet city's Raynagar area, beside the graves of his parents.
Shafiqur said AL has declared two days of mourning and a "black-badge wearing" programme, marking the demise of Muhith, who was also parliamentarian from Sylhet-1.
After being taken from Dhaka, his body will be kept at his ancestral home in Sylhet city in a freezer van, reports our Sylhet correspondent.
Muhith passed away in the early hours of yesterday at the capital's United Hospital. He was 88.
PRESIDENT, PM PAY TRIBUTES
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at Muhith's demise, reports UNB.
In her condolence message, the PM said despite being a member of the Civil Service of Pakistan, Muhith joined the first government of Bangladesh in 1971. At the time, he was posted in the Pakistan embassy of the US.
"A successful economist and politician, the Independence Award winner will be remembered by all for his works," Hasina said.
Muhith's brother Foreign Minister Abdul Momen, Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Finance Minister Mustafa Kamal, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, and FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin also expressed deep shock and sorrow.
In separate messages, Expatriates' Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem expressed their condolences.
TRIBUTES POUR IN
People from all walks of life paid their respects to Muhith at the capital's Central Shaheed Minar yesterday.
The AL advisory council member's body was taken there around noon, where tributes were paid on behalf of the president, PM, and members of various political, social and cultural organisations.
On behalf of the president, his military secretary Maj Gen SM Salahuddin Islam, and on behalf of the PM, her military secretary Brig Gen Kabir Ahmed paid homage.
Sergeant-at-arms Commodore MM Naim Rahman paid homage on behalf of the Speaker.
Led by AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, party presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Nurul Islam Nahid and Abdur Razzak; AL Joint General Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak; Information Minister Hasan Mahmud; Planning Minister MA Mannan; Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman; AK Azad of DU Alumni Association; Hasanul Haque Inu of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal; journalist Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul; Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon; Gonoshasthaya Kendra Trustee Jafarullah Chowdhury; DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh; Indian High Commission; Dhaka Metropolitan Chamber and Commerce; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and National University paid tributes.
After paying homage, Quader said, "I've rarely seen 'crazy' people like him. He used to be immersed in work and studies, from morning to night, even on holidays. He's also successful as an economist and finance minister. The most important thing is that there are not many honest people in the country's politics, but he was a 100 percent honest man."
The foreign minister said Muhith was an enlightened man. The PM had given him the opportunity to work, and he has done so with honesty and sincerity. He was very talented and hardworking, that is what he has proven.
Gonoshasthaya's Jafarullah said Muhith is one of those who ushered in freedom. During the Liberation War, he was in Washington and played an essential role during the war along with the other expatriates. Without the expatriates' efforts, the liberation movement of Bangabandhu would not have been possible.
Ahrar Ahmad, director general of Gyantapas Abdur Razzaq Foundation (GARF), also paid respects on behalf of the foundation. Muhith was the chair of the foundation's trustee board.
"The country will miss an honest and wise leader and an internationally acclaimed economist. We at GARF will miss his constructive guidance, his warm friendship, his enlightened presence, his eager support of research and scholarship, and his keen appreciation of the arts and humanities. We offer our condolences to his family, and pray for his eternal peace," he said.
Matia Chowdhury said he had a sense of responsibility and humanity. "How many of us are as successful as him?"
Rashed Khan Menon said Muhith was a very simple man, who always had a smile on his face. In bureaucracy and politics, he was a rare figure.
AL's Nurul Islam Nahid said Muhith contributed to the economy, directly and indirectly, in many ways. It is painful to lose a man like him.
Hasanul Haq Inu said, "We have lost a talented man from the intellectual world; we have lost a friend in the cultural world."
Cultural personality Asaduzzaman Noor said Muhith made excellent contributions in economics and the country's culture. "He had shown that, unlike others, he could actually implement his ideas."
After paying homage at Shaheed Minar, the body was taken to Central Jame Masjid of DU, where his second janaza was held after Zohr prayers, reports UNB.
Earlier, the first janaza was held at the city's Gulshan Azad Mosque at 11:05am, reports BSS.
Ministers AK Abdul Momen, Mustafa Kamal and MA Mannan; State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid; Nurul Islam Nahid; former chief whip ASM Feroz; Rab Director General Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun; Muhith's son Shahed Muhith; and people from all backgrounds took part in the janaza.
After the janaza at Azad mosque, Mustafa Kamal told reporters that Muhith's memory will remain alive forever because of his good deeds.
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