Bangladesh to observe a state mourning on Monday, following the death of AF Hassan Ariff, the adviser to the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, in the interim government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
The Cabinet Division issued a notification regarding this matter on Sunday.
On this occasion, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions and educational establishments, as well as on all government and private buildings and at Bangladesh missions abroad, on Monday.
Special prayers will be held on Monday in all mosques across Bangladesh for the salvation of his soul, and other religious institutions will also organize special prayers for the peace of his soul.
In this regard, the advisory council on Sunday adopted a condolence motion on the death of AF Hassan Ariff.
According to BSS, the condolence motion was adopted at a special council meeting held at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO).
Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan placed the condolence motion at the meeting, which was adopted unanimously.
At the meeting, Rizwana said: “Hassan Ariff would be buried at Mirpur Martyrs' Intellectual Graveyard at 10:30am on Monday next to the grave of Bir Shreshtha Hamidur Rahman.”
At the onset of the meeting, a minute silence was observed regarding the memory of Adviser Hassan Ariff.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and other advisers paid tribute to the late adviser.
The chief adviser said: "Today (Sunday) I am recalling many small utterances; he (Ariff) always reminded me - we are of the same age. He behaved naively like children."
He said: “If Hassan Ariff saw any conflict, he would have appeared to resolve it.”
"This wonderful man has left us," he added.
Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said that Hassan Ariff was a rare personality with a smiling face.
Remembering the works and life of the late adviser, Jute Textiles and Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain said that Hassan Ariff's death deeply saddened him.
Social Welfare, Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid said: “A beautiful relationship had developed with him after coming to work (as adviser) as he was an inspiration for all.”
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said: "We miss Hassan Ariff at our advisers' council meeting today (Sunday). In his absence, we face an irreparable loss."
Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan highlighted his work experience with Hassan Ariff as a lawyer and said that he was always vocal in protecting human rights.
Adilur said: “Hassan Ariff also worked as the founding vice-president of rights organization Odhikar.”
Law and Justice and Expatriates Welfare Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said: “Hassan Ariff was a dedicated and hardworking person, and he used to scrutinize all documents thoroughly.”
Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said the late adviser never took any work lightly.
Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said: “Hassan Ariff was an amiable person, while any issue could be resolved in consultation with him.”
Energy and Road Transport Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said: "There are many divisions in our society. The number of people who can bridge the divisions is gradually diminishing. He was accepted by all quarters."
Recalling Hassan Ariff's role in the signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma said: “The late adviser thought of the people of the CHT and the people of the hill region would remember him.”
Local Government and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said: "I got to know Hassan Ariff when I joined the advisers' council, and I always found him beside me like a teacher."
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam said: "While working with him, I never understood the difference of our ages. He used to mix with everyone sincerely."
Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said that Hassan Ariff sincerely worked to organize a participatory election in 2008. "This time, too, he worked with utmost dedication," he added.
Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Civil Aviation Secretary Nasreen Jahan, and Land Secretary ASM Saleh Ahmed also spoke at the meeting.
It is noteworthy that AF Hassan Ariff was taken to Labaid Hospital on Friday afternoon after falling ill, where doctors declared him dead. He was 83 years old.
His first funeral prayer was held on Friday after the Esha prayer at the Baitul Aman Mosque, Dhanmondi-7.
His second funeral prayer was conducted on Saturday at 11 am at the High Court premises, followed by a third one at the Secretariat at noon.
Currently, his body is being kept in the morgue of the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.
After his daughter returns from Canada, his burial will take place on Monday at the Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard in the capital.
In the interim government formed on August 8, AF Hassan Ariff initially served as an Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and the Ministry of Land.
Later, he was assigned the responsibilities of the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
A senior lawyer of the Supreme Court, Hassan Ariff, has been practicing law since 1970.
He served as the Attorney General from October 2001 to April 2005 and as the Legal Adviser to the Caretaker Government from January 2008 to 2009.
He began his career in 1967 at the Kolkata High Court in West Bengal, India, before moving to Dhaka in 1970 to practice law at the High Court.
Throughout his career, Hasan Arif held advisory roles in several institutions, including the Roads and Highways Department, the Chittagong Port Authority, Mongla Port Authority, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Bangladesh Bank, the Chittagong Development Authority, the Chittagong Stock Exchange, the University Grants Commission, and Grameenphone Bangladesh.
He was also an adviser to the Dhakeshwari National Temple Complex.