Eminent writer Rashid Haider passes away

Former Bangla Academy director, Liberation War researcher and noted writer Rashid Haider has passed away. 

He died at around 10am on Tuesday at his Fuller road residence. He was 79.

The veteran writer had been suffering from old age complications for a long time, family sources said.

He left behind two daughters and a host of relatives and admirers to mourn his death.

His namaz-e-janaza was held after Zohr prayers on Tuesday, at Dhaka University Central Mosque, with Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Siraji, Dhaka University Proctor AKM Golam Rabbani, Prof Dr Abul Monsur Ahmed and Prof Mujibur Rahman of Dhaka University's journalism and mass communication department, and members of Bangla Academy board of directors in attendance, reports BSS.

The Ekushey Padak-winning litterateur was laid to enternal rest at Azimpur graveyard at around 2:30pm.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed deep sorrow at Rashid Haider's death.

In his condolence message, the president said Rashid Haider's research work on the Liberation War would inspire the next generation to learn about the nature of the war, reports UNB.

In her message, the prime minister said: “Rashid Haider will be remembered for his research work on the Liberation War and Bangla literature.”

Both the president and the prime minister prayed for the departed soul and expressed condolences for the bereaved family. 

Rashid Haider was born on July 15, 1941 in the village of Dohapara in Pabna.

He did his post-graduate in Bengali literature from Dhaka University in 1985.

Being encouraged by his elder brother Zia Haider, he started working for “Chitrali” magazine while he was a university student.

In 1964, he debuted his work as an assistant editor of “Parikram” magazine.

He joined the Bangla Academy in 1972 and retired from the post of its director in 1999.

He was adorned with many prestigious awards, including Bangla Academy Award in 1984, Ekushey Padak in 2014, Humayun Qadir Award and Agrani Bank award for his magnificent literary work.