The 38th death anniversary of former president Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, a leading organiser of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, will be observed on Sunday.
To mark the occasion, a Quran Khawani and milad mahfil will be held at Nagbari Jame Masjid in Tangail. His family has requested all to pray for the salvation of the departed soul, according to a press release.
Justice Chowdhury resigned as vice-chancellor of Dhaka University on 15 March, 1971, in protest against the killing of two students on the campus by the Pakistani occupation forces.
During the Liberation War, he served as a special envoy of the provisional government and played a key role in mobilising international support for Bangladesh’s independence.
In 1985, he was unanimously elected chairman of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
He also played an active role in the anti-autocracy movement during the 1980s.
Justice Chowdhury authored five books on law, human rights and the Liberation War.
He also made significant contributions to religious and charitable institutions in Tangail.
He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the Kolkata University and the Deshikottama honour by Viswa Bharati.
Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury was the only son of the late Abdul Hamid Chowdhury, former speaker of the erstwhile East Pakistan Provincial Assembly.
He is survived by his sons, former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury and former banker Lion Abul Kasem Chowdhury.
