Prof Muzaffar laid to rest

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Professor Muzaffar Ahmed

FE Report
Eminent economist and environmentalist Professor Muzaffar Ahmed was laid to eternal rest at Azimpur Graveyard in the city Wednesday afternoon following largely attended namaz-e-janaza.
He was buried beside his grandfather at the graveyard immediate after his second namaz-e-janaza on the Dhaka University (DU) campus where he spent 30 years as a teacher at Institution of Business Administration (IBA) of the university from 1974 to 2004.
The first namaz-e-janaza of the 76-year-old veteran human rights activist was held at Dhanmondi Shahi Eidgah. People from all walks of life, relatives of the deceased, intellectuals and teachers and students took part in it.
Professor Muzaffar passed away due to a cardiac arrest at the capital's Lab Aid Hospital about 11:22pm Tuesday. He left behind his wife, two sons, a daughter and a number of well wishers to mourn his death.
In his long career as an economist, teacher, social and environmental activist, he remained active in establishing good governance, raising a social movement against corruption and preventing degradation of the environment.
He also penned a number of books and articles at home and abroad.
Family source said he felt pain in his chest at about 10:30pm and then he was rushed to the hospital where duty doctor declared him dead.
Professor Muzaffar, who received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1965, was also chairman of the Transparency International Bangladesh and president of Sushashoner Jonno Nagarik commonly known as Sujon that promotes good governance.
Ahmed was also awarded the Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh in 2008 for his outstanding contribution to the country's economy.
Several organisations, business leaders and individuals also expressed their deep shock at his death.
In a condolence massage, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) deeply mourned the sad demise of its former chairman and member of the Trustee Board Professor Muzaffar Ahmad.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman termed Muzaffar as an irreplaceable voice for rights of all people, justice, democracy and good governance.
"The Anti-corruption movement in Bangladesh will remain grateful to him for ever," he said.
At a condolence massage, Vice Chancellor of DU AAMS Arefin Siddique said the noted economist also former DU professor not only contributed in building the country's economy but also played significant role in promoting human rights, establishing good governance and ensuring environmental protection.
Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) in its condolence massage said his memory will be immortal among the economists of the country as a symbol of economists' social responsibility.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said the whole nation will remember his strong role in building up anti-corruption movement and in formulating neutral and independent Anti-Corruption Commission Act-2004.
Bangladesh Institute of bank Management and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), among other organisations, also condoled the demise of Prof Muzaffar.