The Deputy Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI), renowned academician and Islamic scholar, Professor AKM Nazir Ahmed breathed his last at a city hospital in Dhaka in the night of January 7. He was 74.
Born in Boalia village of Borua Upazila under Comilla district in 1939, Professor Nazir Ahmed obtained B.A. (Hons) in English from Dhaka University in 1962 and MA in 1963. He joined the Islamic movement in 1960 and Jamaat-e-Islami in 1965. He became Comilla district Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami in 1967. Later he served the Islamic movement by discharging the duty as member of Majlis-e-Shura, Central Working Committee and Executive Committee. He had been Deputy Amir of BJI since 2009. He was also Director of Bangladesh Islamic Centre. Professor Nazir Ahmed was detained in the current tenure of present government and passed a long time behind the bar.
He wrote some 35 books on the various aspects of Islam and visited many countries, including the USA, UK, Saudi Arabia and India. In his professional life, he rendered services as Professor of English in Comilla Victoria College and Comilla College.
His funeral prayer was led by his elder son-in-law and central executive committee member of BJI, Maulana Abdul Halim at Mirpur Baitul Aman Jama Masjid in the capital. Huge number of leaders and activists of BJI and neighbouring people attended the prayer. He was buried at the graveyard in Mirpur section 11 of the capital.
He left his wife, 3 sons, two daughters and many well-wishers behind.
BJI Acting Amir Maqbul Ahmed and Acting Sec-Gen Dr. Shafiqur Rahman issued a statement on 8 January, expressing deep condolence over the death of Nazir Ahmed. In the message, they said in the demise of Professor Nazir Ahmed the nation has lost a great academician, writer, researcher, Islamic scholar and politician.
Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Omari, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, also expressed condolence over the death of Professor Nazir Ahmed. He prayed to Allah for the forgiveness of the departed soul and termed his death a great loss for the Muslim Ummah.
“A few days back government agencies had raided his house in Dhaka and arrested his son Mr. Fowad. After this Professor Nazir had a severe heart attack and finally he breathed his last and departed on the night of 7 January,” the message said.