The death of Emeritus Professor and celebrated litterateur Syed Manzoorul Islam at the age of 75 has been mourned as a profound loss to Dhaka University and the nation’s intellectual community.
He passed away on Friday afternoon at LabAid Hospital in Dhaka, prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes from across academic and literary circles.
Despite heavy rain, heartfelt tributes at the Central Shaheed Minar reflected the deep admiration for a man remembered for his moral clarity, wisdom, and humility.
Advisers to the Interim Government, Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Asif Nazrul, both paid tribute to Professor Islam’s principled life.
Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, a neighbor on Fuller Road, recalled his signature smile—describing it as a reflection of a “very clean soul” and “pure heart.”
Nazrul emphasized the professor’s selflessness and integrity, noting that while they often disagreed politically, Professor Islam’s convictions were never driven by personal gain.
“He was respected across ideological divides because his beliefs were rooted in principle,” Nazrul said.
Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, who shared both personal and professional ties with Professor Islam, echoed these sentiments.
“He was not ambitious in the conventional sense, but deeply committed to the causes he believed in,” she said.
Rizwana recalled moments when he declined to co-sign joint statements—not out of indifference, but due to his unwavering personal ethics.
She also highlighted his dedication to environmental advocacy, noting that he frequently wrote in support of ecological causes and would personally follow up if she missed a movement or event.
Emeritus Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, who first knew him as a discerning student and later as a colleague, described him as a beloved teacher and a literary figure of rare depth.
“His connection with literature was unparalleled,” Chowdhury said, adding that despite his many accolades—including the Ekushey Padak—he remained free of arrogance.
Professor Islam was also widely respected as an art critic and public intellectual. Institutions such as Bangla Academy, Asiatic Society, and various departments of Dhaka University paid tribute to his enduring legacy.
Following the public homage, his funeral prayer was held at the Dhaka University Central Mosque.
He was laid to rest at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard, a final resting place befitting a life defined by scholarship, integrity, and quiet brilliance.
