Syed Manzoorul laid to eternal rest

FE Desk

Emeritus Professor of Dhaka University Syed Manzoorul Islam on Saturday was laid to eternal rest at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard following a namaz-e-janaza and public mourning.

Earlier in the morning, Prof Manzoorul Islam's body had been kept at the base of the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture on the DU campus, where teachers and students of the university paid their last respects.

Later his body was brought to the Central Shaheed Minar at 11am, when mourners comprising government advisers, university teachers and students and admirers paid homage to Mr Islam defying heavy rain.

After the ceremony at the Shaheed Minar, his coffin was taken to the DU Central Mosque where a namaz-e-janaza was held.

Ekushey Padak winner in 2018, Mr Islam passed away on Friday afternoon at a city hospital at the age 74.

Expressing profound grief over the death of Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, Environment Adviser to the interim government Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that Dhaka University had lost one of its finest teachers with his passing away.

While speaking at Central Shaheed Minar, remembering the late professor, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, "We have lost a remarkable person, teacher, writer, and thinker. My connection with him was partly professional, but mostly personal. Both of us were from Sylhet. We all deeply respected his wisdom and intellect."

She added, "Dhaka University has lost one of its greatest teachers today. The student community, too, has lost one of its finest mentors. If you look at the reactions on social media, everyone was hoping for a miracle, that he would recover and return to us. But the day of departure is always destined."

"We are at least able to bid him farewell with dignity. He was not a very ambitious man, he simply did what he loved and kept nurturing his passion. We will always remember him with respect and positivity," Rizwana Hasan said.

Law Adviser to the interim government Dr. Asif Nazrul also paid tribute, recalling his fond memories with Professor Islam.

"Sir had a smile that could touch your soul. I always felt that such a smile could only come from someone with a pure heart and a clean soul. That smile was his signature," he said.

"He was immensely knowledgeable and incredibly popular as a teacher," Dr. Asif Nazrul added.

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