Shahed Kamal, a revered figure in Bangladeshi journalism and a long-standing educator at the University of Dhaka, passed away on Saturday evening.
He was 85 years old, just days shy of his 86th birthday.
Shahed Kamal breathed his last at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Sikder Medical College Hospital in the capital, shortly after life support was withdrawn.
He had been undergoing treatment at the medical facility for several days.
His passing was confirmed by Shaonti Haider, an associate professor at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University.
“He had been undergoing treatment at Sikder Medical College Hospital for several days,” she said. “He breathed his last today.”
Born into a family deeply rooted in Bangladesh’s cultural and literary history, Shahed Kamal was the son of the legendary poet and activist Sufia Kamal.
He carved out his own formidable legacy over a career spanning more than six decades.
He entered the field of journalism in 1957, dedicating his life to the pursuit of truth and ethical reporting. His passion for the craft extended seamlessly into academia; in 1976, he joined the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University as a guest teacher.
For over forty years, he mentored generations of aspiring reporters, shaping the landscape of modern Bangladeshi media.
In recognition of his monumental contributions to both the practice and education of journalism in the country, Shahed Kamal was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
Following his demise, Shahed Kamal’s body was taken to the Taqwa Mosque in Dhanmondi for his namaz-e-janaza. Following the namaz-e-janaza, his body will be conveyed to ‘Sanjher Maya’, the residence of his late mother, Sufia Kamal.
Later, tributes will be paid at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism premises of Dhaka University at 12pm. After Juhr prayers, the second funeral prayer will take place at the Dhaka University Central Mosque.
Around 2:30pm, tributes will be paid at the National Press Club. His body will be laid to rest in the grave of his mother at Azimpur Graveyard in Dhaka at 4pm.
He leaves behind a vast legacy of journalistic integrity, generations of inspired students, and a profound void in Bangladesh’s media fraternity.
