Manzur Elahi laid to eternal rest after mournful funerals

The curtain falls on an iconic patron in business and social service with the mournful funerals and burial of Syed Manzur Elahi.

An eminent businessman and visionary entrepreneur in Bangladesh's business community, he was laid to eternal rest at the Banani Graveyard in the capital, Dhaka, on Thursday afternoon.

His final rituals were performed at around 4:30pm. He was buried beside his wife, Niloufer Manzur.

The day's proceedings began with the first namaz-e-janaza held at East West University in Dhaka at 10:30am, where his family, friends and colleagues gathered to pay their last respects. Elahi was the chairman of the East West University Trustee Board.

Thereafter, his body was taken to the headquarters of Mutual Trust Bank PLC where employees of the bank, alongside members of Apex Group, bade him a heartfelt farewell.

A second namaz-e-janaza was held at Gulshan Central Mosque (Azad Mosque) after Zohr prayers.

Tributes from all corners of society, including business leaders, government high-ups, political leaders, and employees of various organisations he established, poured in honouring his memory and acknowledging his lasting contributions to the nation.

Among others, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, President of the International Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (ICC-B) Mahbubur Rahman, business leaders AK Azad, Aftab Ul Islam, Nihad Kabir, Simeen Rahman, Rizwan Rahman, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury and Russell T Ahmed, and political leaders Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Zonayed Saki paid their respects at the Azad Mosque funerals.

Late Wednesday, Elahi's body was brought back to Bangladesh on a Singapore Airlines flight around 10:20pm. On his last ride home, the deceased was transported from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 11:30pm.

Elahi passed away at Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore on Wednesday at 7:30am Bangladesh time after a prolonged battle with age-related health complications. He was 83.

At the funerals, Elahi's son Syed Nasim Manzur fondly remembered his father's guiding principle of "simple living, high thinking,"-- a philosophy the business leader had consistently imparted to his children.

Nasim said Elahi's life was marked by an unshakeable commitment to his country. "He told his children that the nation must always come first, no matter the personal cost."

Earlier at East West University, Nasim shared heartfelt memories of his father, recalling his final words in the days leading up to his passing. "Before his death, my father repeatedly told us that the country comes first," he said, emphasising the deep patriotism that defined Elahi's life.

In his final moments, Elahi expressed his longing to return to a place dear to his heart, saying, "I have to go back. The students of East West University are waiting for me."

The university held a special place in his life, and it was clear that his thoughts remained with it even in his final days.

Nasim also reflected on his father's enduring wisdom. "My father always said people would not remember you for how many cars or houses you have. Rather, they will remember you for how you behave."

Elahi's unwavering patriotism and dedication to the progress of Bangladesh were among his defining characteristics. His passing marks the loss of one of the nation's most influential industrialists.

Through his visionary leadership, he not only built successful businesses such as Apex Footwear, Apex Tannery, and Mutual Trust Bank but also established enduring institutions like East West University, Sunbeams School, Manusher Jonno Foundation, and the Freedom Foundation, among others. His impacts on the nation's economy and society are profound and far-reaching.

Born on September 26, 1942, in Calcutta, British India, Elahi hailed from a family steeped in legal tradition. His father Sir Syed Nasim Ali served as the Chief Justice of undivided Bengal. Despite his family's legacy in law, he chose a different path, embracing entrepreneurship and becoming a symbol of success in the business world.

Beyond business, he was deeply committed to the betterment of Bangladesh's regulatory and financial landscapes.

He served as an adviser of two caretaker governments and held leadership roles in numerous business chambers and associations, including the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), the Bangladesh Bank, and the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

His contributions to the nation's economic growth were recognised with several prestigious accolades, including Business Executive of the Year 2000 from the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham), Business Person of the Year 2002 from The Daily Star and DHL, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the UK Bangladesh Catalysts of Commerce and Industry (UKBCCI) in 2023.

Elahi left behind an indelible legacy not only in the business world but also in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. Bangladesh has lost one of its finest sons, a man who embodied the spirit of resilience, innovation, and patriotism.

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