AL leader Nasim passes away

Awami League leader and former Health Minister Mohammad Nasim passed away at Bangladesh Specialised Hospital in the capital on Saturday, reports UNB.

He was 72.

His son Tanvir Shakil Joy told media that his father breathed his last at the hospital around 11:10 am.

The Namaz-e-Janaza of the AL leader would be held at Banani Jam-e-mosque around 10:30am today (Sunday) and he will be buried at his mother's grave there, AL leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak told reporters in front of the hospital around 1:30pm on Saturday.

His body was kept at the mortuary of the hospital at night. Nasim's body will not be taken to Sirajganj due to the coronavirus pandemic, said Nanak.

The former minister underwent a successful surgery after his condition deteriorated on June 05 following a stroke while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

On June 02, Nasim tested positive for coronavirus.

Nasim, had been performing as convenor for the 14-party ruling alliance forged around the heft of Awami League.

Born on April 02, 1948, Mohammed Nasim served as Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Home Affairs respectively during 2014-2019 and 1999-2001.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at the death of Mohammad Nasim.

In a condolence message, President Hamid said, "Mohammad Nasim was a fearless fighter in all the democratic movements of the country including our struggle for independence and the Liberation War. He was elected Member of Parliament five times because he was a popular leader of people."

His death came as an irreparable loss to the national politics of Bangladesh and the name of Mohammad Nasim would forever shine in the political history of the country, he added. The President prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said, "Mohammad Nasim, like his father Captain M Mansur Ali, worked for the welfare of the country and the nation until his death following the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."

"Defying all odds and hurdles he played a unique role to establish the ideals of the Liberation War and the spirit of secularism," Sheikh Hasina said in the message.

"Bangladesh has lost a patriot and a leader of the masses of people at his death and I've lost a trustworthy co-fighter," she said about the former minister.

The Prime Minister prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.