Veteran journalist Shahed Kamal, son of renowned poet Sufia Kamal, passed away on Saturday evening while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. He was 85.
He breathed his last at around 7:30pm after life support was withdrawn at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Sikder Medical College Hospital, according to Shaonti Haider, associate professor at Dhaka University's Department of Mass Communication and Journalism.
"He had been ill and under treatment at Sikder Medical College Hospital for several days. He breathed his last today," she said.
Shahed Kamal began his journalism career in 1957 and worked for many years at the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). He also taught at Dhaka University's Department of Mass Communication and Journalism from 1976.
In recognition of his contributions to journalism and journalism education in Bangladesh, he received a lifetime achievement award in 2017.
He died just days before his 86th birthday.
Following his death, his body was taken to Taqwa Mosque in Dhanmondi for the first namaz-e-janaza.
His body will be taken to the premises of Dhaka University's Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at 12pm on Sunday. Another namaz-e-janaza will be held after Zohr at the university mosque, followed by a third at 2:30pm on the National Press Club premises. He will later be laid to rest at Azimpur Graveyard.