After paying tribute and guard of honor at the Central Shaheed Minar, Ekushe Medalist poet Al Mujahidi was laid to rest at the Shaheed Intellectual Cemetery in Mirpur.
A guard of honor was provided by the Dhaka district administration when his body was taken to the central Shaheed Minar at 11 am on Saturday.
Earlier, the poet’s long-time friends, relatives and well-wishers paid tributes at the last farewell function organized by the Nationalist Writers’ Forum. Tributes were also paid by various organizations and institutions.
State Minister for Culture Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam, poet Abdul Hai Shikder, Director General of Bangla Academy Professor Mohammad Azam, Shaheen Reza, Tapan Bagchi, Raju Alim and Abid Azam paid tribute to the poet.
State Minister for Culture Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam said Al Mujahidi has played a significant role in the world of literature in Bangladesh for a long time. He had free movement in various branches of literature including poems, stories, novels, translations. Countrymen will remember his contribution in building a culture minded nation for a long time.
Abdul Hai Shikder said, Al Mujahidi was a guardian over our heads. The death of Al Mujahidi, the student leader of the 60s, the freedom fighter of the 1971s, the award-winning poet and eminent journalist Al Mujahidi, is an irreparable loss for us.
Later, at 12 noon, Al Mujahidi’s body was taken to the premises of the National Press Club, where his memories have been for a long time. There Maulana Masum Billah conducted the funeral as per the wish of the poet. Later there was a tribute.
Later in the afternoon, he was buried with state honors at the Martyr Intellectuals Cemetery in Mirpur.
BD Daily/ZA
