National Professor Rafiqul Islam passes away

Ekushey Padak-winning National Professor Rafiqul Islam, one of the most distinguished researchers on Kazi Nazrul Islam, has passed away.

The 87-year-old breathed his last at Evercare Hospital in the capital around 2:30 pm on Tuesday.

The hospital’s Deputy Manager Ashraful Karim confirmed the matter to Dhaka Post.

The eminent professor was suffering from various old age complications. He was on life support since Thursday after being taken to the hospital four days earlier.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed deep shock over Rafiqul Islam’s death.

Rafiqul Islam was inducted as a national professor in 2018. He later became the head of the Bangla department at the University of Dhaka.

The eminent educationist got Nazrul Academy Award, Bangla Academy Literary Award, Ekushey Padak, Independence Day Award and International Mother Language Award for his outstanding contribution in the field of academia and culture.

ARR