Noted litterateur and National Mustafa Nur-Ul Islam passed away in Dhaka on Wednesday night due to old-age complications. He was 92.
Nur-Ul Islam breathed his last at his residence around 9:00pm, reports UNB.
The academic was honored as a National Professor of Bangladesh in 2011 while he was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1981 and Independence Day Award in 2010.
Cultural Affairs Minister Assaduzzaman Noor offered his condolences to bereaved family members of the accomplished academic.
Islam was a professor at Jahangirnagar University and former Director General of Bangla Academy.
BSS adds : President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday condoled the death of the National Professor.
In a condolence message, the President expressed profound shock at the death of Prof Nur-ul and conveyed sympathy to his bereaved family members.
President Hamid recalled his contribution to the literature with due respect, saying, "The loss at his death in the field of country's literature
is irreparable."
Abdul Hamid also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
In a separate condolence message, the prime minister recalled Prof Nur-Ul Islam's active participation in every democratic movement and struggle of the country from the Language Movement to the Liberation War.
"He was involved in all progressive democratic and cultural movements including the anti-Ayub movement in the 60s and celebration of the birth centenary of Nobel laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Prof Nur-Ul Islam made unique contributions to the movement for resisting communalism at the call of Bangabandhu.
The premier said he played an important role in building public opinion in favour of the liberation war while he was conducting PhD research in London in 1971.
"The death of the Independence and Ekushey Padak-winning litterateur is an irreparable loss to the country and nation," she said.
Sheikh Hasina prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family.
