Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said former Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam was an idol for Bangladesh politicians.
"He was an idol for Bangladesh politicians and his sacrifice and contributions to the nation will forever be remembered," Quader, also Awami League general secretary, said on.
Quader made the statements after placing a wreath on the grave of the late Awami League leader in Dhaka’s Banani area on the occasion of his first death anniversary on Friday, reports BSS.
Sayeda Zakia Noor, Awami League lawmaker, and sister of Syed Ashraf, was present on the occasion.
“Syed Ashraf was a rare politician of Bangladesh. Ashraf, a son of Bangabadhu’s close associate Syed Nazrul Islam, was elected as Awami League general secretary two times in a row,” Quader said.
Recalling the sacrifice Syed Ashraf made for Bangladesh, he said Ashraf was a perfect man in the political atmosphere.
“We should take lessons from his life. The modesty, honesty and sincerity of Syed Ashraful Islam will remain as an example for future politicians,” he said.
On January 3 in 2019, Syed Ashraf, also the then Public Administration Minister, died at the age of 68 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bangkok. He had been suffering from lung cancer.
Ashraf was born in Mymensingh in 1952. His father Syed Nazrul Islam was acting president of Mujibnagar Government in 1971 and one of the key organizers of struggle for Bangladesh's independence.
Ashraf took part in the 1971 Liberation War, an active freedom fighter who was trained in Dehradun in India.
He was actively involved in student politics. He was general secretary of Mymensingh district Student League after Bangladesh’s independence. He also served as assistant publicity secretary of Central Student League.
On November 3, in 1975, his father Syed Nazrul Islam and three national leaders were brutally killed in Dhaka Central Jail.
After this incident, Syed Ashraf went to London and organized Bangladesh Awami League in the United Kingdom. Ashraf came back in 1996 and was elected as a member of parliament. He served as state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry during 1996-2001. He was also elected parliament member in 2001 and served as a member of Foreign Affairs Standing Committee in parliament.
In 2008, Syed Ashraf was elected lawmaker again and was appointed as the local government, rural development and cooperatives minister. He took over the charge of Public Administration Ministry on July 16 in 2015.
Although Ashraf was absent during the 11th national election, he was elected as a member of parliament from Kishoreganj-1 constituency.
He was also engaged in various social activities.
