RU Prof Historian ABM Hossain no more
Internationally acclaimed historian Professor Abul Bashar Mosarraf Hossain of Rajshahi University (RU) passed away at Bangladesh Specialised Hospital in Dhaka earlier today, Prof Fazlul Haque, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at RU, said.
The 86-year-old was the first professor emeritus of Rajshahi University, where he served for 60 years, the dean and the head of the Department of Islamic History and Culture, said.
Prof ABM Hossain had a hold on every sector of history, but he was famous as an expert on middle eastern history.
Prof Hossain authored 11 books including Arab Sthapottya, Muslim Shilpakolar Etihas and Moddhyaprachher Eithas, the dean said.
The Norwegian parliament had selected him as a member of the Nobel Peace Prize awarding body of The Norwegian Nobel Committee in 1977.
During the Ershad regime, he addressed a conference of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as an expert, Prof Haque said.
Prof ABM Hossain was also a member of the committee that drafted the Rajshahi University Act of 1973.
Born in Dhamti village of Kumilla's Debiddar upazila on September 1, 1934, he studied at Debiddar High School, Kumilla Victoria College and Dhaka University.
He went to London University on a scholarship and secured his honours and PhD in History and Islamic Archaeology in 1958 and 1960, respectively.
In 1960, he joined Rajshahi University as a teacher. He was promoted to professor status within 12 years.
After his retirement, the RU authorities nominated him as the university's first-ever professor emeritus in 2001.
He lived on the campus till early 2019, when he came to Dhaka for a family event. He could not return to Rajshahi as he slipped and fell in his Dhaka residence and suffered a fracture on his waist five months ago.
One week ago, he slipped again and was admitted to Bangladesh Specialised hospital.
He was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit yesterday and breathed his last at 2am, Prof Fazlul Haque said.
He is survived by two sons, a daughter and a host of relatives and friends across the globe.
During his academic life, he wrote more than a hundred research papers published in various journals.
He awarded Masters of Philosophy degrees to three of his students, as well as doctorate degrees to 22 students.
He was a lifetime fellow of Bangladesh Asiatic Society and Bangla Academy.
His namaz-e-janaza will be held near his Dhaka residence after the Zohr prayers and he will be buried at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard.
Rajshahi University will also hold a funeral-in-absentia prayers at its Central Mosque after the Zohr prayers.