Last tributes for Sir Abed at Army Stadium

Thousands of people from all walks of life on Sunday poured in Dhaka’s Army Stadium premises to pay their last respects to Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder of world’s largest non-governmental organization (NGO) Brac.

Delegations on behalf of President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh paid their homage by placing wreaths on Sir Abed's coffin, while Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader paid tribute on behalf of Awami League.

His body was taken to the stadium around 10:30am on Sunday. Sir Abed passed away at the Apollo Hospital on Friday in Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam, among others, also paid tributes to Sir Abed.

People, as well as leaders and activists of various political, social, and cultural organizations, waited in long queues, that extended towards the main gate of the Army Stadium, to pay him their last tributes.

Fazle Hasan Abed's four family members - his daughter Tamara Hasan Abed, son-in-law Asif Saleh; his son Shameran Abed and his wife were present at the venue.

After paying their tributes, people wrote condolence messages in a book that was kept at the venue for the very purpose. At the same time, various condolences messages were also read out at the site, that were sent from international organizations and institutions commemorating Sir Fazle Hasan Abed.

Sir Abed's namaz-e-janaza was held at the same location that began around 12:41pm. His son Shameran spoke on behalf of the family.

He said: "We are grateful to everyone for being by our side at this crucial moment. All his life, my father has worked for the betterment of people; please pray for him."

He also asked forgiveness for his father's departed soul.

Later, he will be laid to rest at the Banani graveyard in Dhaka, Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh and Brac International Executive Director Dr Muhammad Musa confirmed.

Brac founder and Chair Emeritus Sir Fazle Hasan Abed passed away at the Apollo Hospital in Dhaka, at the age of 83.

He breathed his last at 8:28pm on Friday while undergoing treatment for cerebral tumour, said a statement issued by Ameerah Haq, chair of Brac Global Board.

Sir Abed is survived by his wife, a daughter, a son and grandchildren.

Kamruzzaman