Qulkhani of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed held

The qulkhani of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder of Brac, one of the world's leading non-governmental development organizations, was held in Dhaka on Friday.

A milad followed by a prayer session was organised at Gulshan Central Mosque (Azad Masjid) after Asr prayers.

A large number of dignitaries, including serving and former cabinet members, politicians and others attended the qulkhani along with the family members and co-workers of the deceased.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, former finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, former minister of state Abul Hasan Chowdhury, National Professor Anisuzzaman, Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, economist Prof Rehman Sobhan, jurist and former foreign and law minister Dr Kamal Hossain, local lawmaker AKM Rahmatullah, businessman Abdul Awal Mintoo and media personalities Shykh Seraj of Channel i and Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan, among others, attended the prayer session.

In brief remarks, Prof Anisuzzaman said: "Although Fazle Hasan Abed attained many awards at home and abroad, he remained a very humble person to the core. 

Present and former cabinet members, politicians and many other dignitaries attended the qulkhani along with his family members and co-workers | Courtesy

"After establishing an organization geared to the welfare of people, he set up more such organizations as a way of taking his mission forward. It was his great contribution. Every institution he established was only for the purpose of ensuring the welfare of people."

Speaking at the memorial service, Foreign Minister Abdul Momen said: "Bangladesh has suffered an irreparable loss with the demise of Fazle Hasan Abed. His worldwide contributions to education, treatment and promoting the attainment of self-sufficiency in the lives of the neglected sections of society are qualities for which people will remember him."

Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh, a member of Sir Abed’s family, thanked all for their presence at the prayer session.

Recalling the contributions of the Brac founder, Saleh said: "He (Sir Fazle Hasan Abed) guided people on to the right path through his works, not by speeches or parables. Throughout his life, his thoughts were focused on the development of the lives of backward people."

Sir Fazle Hasan Abed passed away at Apollo Hospitals in Dhaka on December 20. 

Thousands of people from all walks of life paid their last respects to him at the Army Stadium on December 22 before he was laid to eternal rest at Banani Graveyard in the capital.