Syed Mainul Hossain laid to rest

National Memorial architect Syed Mainul Hossain was laid to rest at Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard in Mirpur yesterday.
Earlier in the day, his body was taken by a hearse from Birdem Hospital mortuary to his Shantinagar residence and then from there to Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), where he studied.
Mainul's coffin was kept at the architecture department where teachers and students paid their last respect to the eminent architect whose signature work draws seas of people every year.
His first namaz-e-janaza was held there. Later, his coffin was taken to Central Shaheed Minar around 11:20am.
Friends and colleagues of the architect, leaders of socio-political organisations, and other mourners walked beside the coffin in silence as they paid their respect to the 63-year-old Ekushey Padak recipient.
Architect Syed Mainul Hossain breathed his last at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) on Monday afternoon. He left behind two daughters and a host of relatives, friends and well-wishers to mourn his death.          
At the Shaheed Minar, Mainul's elder daughter Syeda Tahrima Hossain, who returned home from the US yesterday, sought blessing from the country's people for peace and salvation of the departed soul.
After paying tribute, architect Mubasshar Hussain said, "Mainul was the brightest star in the history of Bangladesh and he was an invaluable asset to the architectural institutions."
Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique said Mainul will remain alive among the people through his creation – the National Memorial.
Eminent artist Mustafa Manwar said the memorial is not only a sculpture, but an example of complete art as it speaks of everyone who seeks freedom, and the country's martyred.   
Golam Kuddus of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, which hosted the programme, said the memorial shows how Mainul felt about the Liberation War at his young age of 26.
From the Shaheed Minar, the body was taken to Dhaka University Central Mosque where another janaza was held after Zohr prayers. The body was then taken to Mirpur for burial.
Mainul's design for the National Memorial in Savar was selected from among 57 submissions in the national competition for the project's design in 1978.
Composed of seven isosceles triangular planes varying in size, the memorial's main monument, 150-feet tall, symbolises the valour and sacrifice of those who died fighting for liberation. It also symbolises the rise of Bangladesh from beneath the ground.