Veteran Awami League leader, former religious affairs minister and valiant freedom fighter Principal Motiur Rahman passed away due to old age complications while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mymensingh on Sunday (Aug 27) night at the age of 81, local media reported citing his family and party sources. The valiant freedom fighter is survived by wife, one son and three daughters. His Namaj-e-Janaza will be held at Anjuman Eidgah Maidan at Mymensingh after Asr prayer on Monday.
Motiur Rahman played significant role in the Liberation War as Mymensingh was freed from the Pakistani occupation force on Dec 10 in 1971 under his leadership. He served as religious minister after Awami League assumed office for the second time in a row following national election in 2014.
Earlier, Rahman was also elected parliament member from Mymensingh Sadar constituency as Awami League candidate in polls of 1986 and 2008.
He was awarded Bangabandhu Padak in 2000 and prestigious Ekushey Padak in 2022. He performed duties as a trainer of the freedom fighters and a successful organizer of the liberation war as well.
Rahman, who was in-charge of a youth camp at Meghalaya state of India during the Liberation War, also directly participated in the war. He also served as a Principal of Shahid Alamgir Mansur Mintu College.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former Member of Awami League Central Working Committee, former Religious Affairs Minister and valiant freedom fighter Principal Motiur Rahman.
In a condolence message, the PM said Motiur Rahman, also former President of Mymensingh District Awami League, was a dedicated leader of the Bangladesh Awami League. She recalled that, "He (Motiur Rahman) performed his organisational duties remaining steadfast to the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the politics of the Awami League defying uncountable inducement and repeated imprisonments."
Sheikh Hasina said Motiur Rahman, who led the Mymensingh district Awami League for more than three decades, served as a trainer and successful organiser of the freedom fighters during the Great War of Liberation. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2022 for his outstanding contribution to the War of Liberation.
"The death of Principal Motiur Rahman is an irreparable loss to the party, and I lost a faithful political companion at the demise of him," she added.
The premier prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed her deepest sympathy to the members of his bereaved family.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Principal Motiur Rahman. In a condolence message, he recalled the contribution of Motiur Rahman to the country's Great Liberation War and promoting different educational activities.
"The death of this Ekushey Award recipient is an irreparable loss to the country... The nation will remember him with respect for long," the Head of State said.
The President prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.
