President, PM express shock

Columnist Syed Abul Maksud passes away

Published : Tuesday, 23 February, 2021 at 8:17 PM Count : 350

Noted columnist, journalist and writer Syed Abul Maksud has passed away. He was 74.

He breathed his last at Square Hospital in the capital on Tuesday evening, according to media reports.

Family sources said Maksud suddenly fell ill at his Dhanmodi residence in the afternoon prompting family members to rush him to the hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

“He complained of breathing problems . . . we took him to the hospital where he was declared dead,” his son Syed Nasif Masud said.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed their profound shock and sorrow at the death of noted columnist Syed Abul Maksud.

In a condolence message, the President said the death of Syed Abul Maksud is an irreparable loss to the Bengali literary arena.

“People will remember his contribution to the literature and cultural arena of the country with respect,” he added.

In a message of condolence, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family.

Law Minister Anisul Huq also expressed his profound shock at the death of the noted columnist.

Maksud left behind his wife, a son, a daughter and a host of admires to mourn his death.

No decision was taken by the family about the janaza or burial of Syed Abul Maksud till filing this report.

Syed Abul Maksud has written books and articles on Bangladesh's politics, society and culture. He has also written research oriented articles on noted politicians and litterateurs. He has written more than 40 books. He carried out researches on Rabindranath Tagore, Buddhadeb Basu, Syed Waliullah, Mohondas Karamchand Gandhi, and Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.

The noted columnist received the Bangla Academy Award in 1995 for his overall contributions to the Bangla literature.

Syed Abul Maksud was born on October 23, 1946 at village Elachipur under Shibalaya upazila in Manikganj district. His father and mother were Syed Abul Mahmud and Saleha Begum respectively.