PM’s aunt Sheikh Razia laid to rest at Banani graveyard

Sheikh Razia Naser, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s aunt and mother of Awami League lawmakers Sheikh Helal and Sheikh Jewel, has been laid to rest at Banani graveyard in Dhaka. 

She was buried on Tuesday, at the same site as her husband, following her namaz-e-janaza after Zohr prayers.

Razia Naser, wife of Sheikh Abu Naser, younger brother of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, breathed her last at Evercare Hospital in the city’s Bashundhara residential area on Monday night at the age of 83.

She had been undergoing treatment for old age complications at the hospital since November 3.

The deceased left behind five sons, two daughters and a host of relatives and admirers to mourn her death.

Her eldest son Sheikh Helal is a lawmaker from Bagerhat 1 constituency, while another son Sheikh Jewel is a lawmaker from Khulna 2 constituency. Her grandson and son of Sheikh Helal, Sheikh Sharhan Naser Tonmoy, is also a lawmaker from Bagerhat 2 constituency.

Sheikh Razia Naser | CollectedPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow on Monday night at the death of her aunt, praying for eternal peace of the departed soul.

Also Read - PM’s aunt Razia Naser passes away

Sheikh Razia Naser was known for her progressive personality and affinity with cultural activities. In her younger years, she won a singing competition in Khulna.

She and Sheikh Abu Naser married in 1957.

Razia was an expecting mother when the War of Liberation broke out in 1971. With her little children, she faced immense hardship as her husband had gone off to fight in the war. The Pakistan army set their house in Gopalganj’s Tungipara on fire, and Razia was barely able to get away with her children. 

Tragedy struck her again on August 15, 1975, when along with Bangabandhu and most of his family members, her husband Sheikh Abu Naser was brutally killed. She was expecting their youngest child then.

A long period of struggle then began for Razia Naser. Her house in Khulna was sealed off, and she could not go back to her parents’ home or her grandfather’s house due to the conspirators who had orchestrated the massacre of Bangabandhu’s family. 

The conspirators created one obstacle after another for her and her children, but with strong resolve, she overcame all the hurdles and ensured the welfare of her children.

When Bangabandhu’s elder daughter Sheikh Hasina returned to the country in May 1981 after her election as president of the Awami League, Sheikh Razia took her in and took care of her as her guardian.