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Published : 25 Feb 2025, 08:55 PM
He was scheduled to take the stage on Tuesday evening. Instead, he left the stage of this mortal world in the morning.
BNP leader Abdullah Al Noman, a politician from Chattogram with a vibrant career, died on Tuesday morning in Dhaka.
Noman was scheduled to attend a rally as the chief guest organised by the district BNP in Chattogram, the place where he started his political career six decades ago.
BNP postponed the rally to respect the passing of Noman as people from all walks of life, including those in the political arena, mourned him.
Noman rose from student politics to a party leader in the 1960s. He fought in the Liberation War before participating in labour politics. He became a parliamentarian and minister, serving as BNP president in the Chattogram City unit, and then as the BNP vice chairman.
Noman never had adverse relations even with his political opponents. He opposed them only in political context. When it came to personal and social life, Noman was never affected by the opinions and ideologies of others.
Many leaders and activists entered politics under Noman’s guidance. He nurtured a friendly relationship with almost each of them.
FROM THE STREETS TO THE TOP
Noman was born in Gohira village in Chattogram’s Raujan Upazila in 1945. His brother Abdullah Al Harun was an organiser of the Language Movement and founding president of the Chattogram Students Union.
His father Ahmad Kabir Chowdhury, uncles Ahmad Sagir Chowdhury and Lutfe Ahmad Chowdhury were engaged in political, cultural and social works in Chattogram.
At the outset of the 1960s, he took part in the movement opposing the Hamidur Rahman Education Commission and became a member of the Students Union.
After his student days, Noman followed Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani into labour politics. He became vice president of the East Bengal Workers Federation. He was also secretly part of the Bhashani-allied NAP. In 1970, he became the organising secretary of NAP.
After fighting in the Liberation War in 1971, he continued NAP politics after Bangladesh gained its independence before joining the BNP in 1981.
Noman was elected member of parliament from the Chattogram-9 (Kotwali) parliamentary seat in 1991 and 2001. He served as minister to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Ministry of Forest and Environment during the terms of Khaleda Zia.
POPULAR IRRESPECTIVE OF POLITICAL PARTIES
Leaders and activists from different political parties have expressed their shock over the death of Noman.
In a condolence message, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “He played a significant role in organising the BNP since its inception. He made a huge contribution to the movement against autocrat Ershad. He led the struggle for democracy courageously. For him, the party was the priority.”
“The country and BNP lost a courageous, struggling, and good leader ready to make sacrifices. The nation and the party will always remember his contribution to the country's development. He will become immortal to the party people through his works.”
In a separate statement, Chattogram Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said: “The death of Abdullah Al Noman has been a great sorrow for me. We joined politics with him. He has been a legendary figure in BNP politics. He nurtured multiple talents and was a unique leader.”
The mayor said Noman’s bravery in the Liberation War will never be forgotten. He was not a “leader” but an “institution”. “He was the leader of leaders. He will be remembered forever in the BNP’s politics.”
Chattogram North BNP Convener Golam Akbar Khandaker told bdnews24.com, “He was scheduled to address the rally today (Tuesday) as the chief guest. It’s very unfortunate that he left this world today. I stepped into politics holding his hand. We’ve postponed our rally. We’ll pay our tribute to him in Chattogram.”
Not only BNP leaders but also Awami League leaders expressed their grief at the death of BNP stalwart Noman.
North Chattogram Awami League leader Debashish Palit, former municipal mayor in Raujan, wrote on a Facebook post: “We’re deeply shocked with the demise of Abdullah Al Noman, a great well-wisher of our family, former minister and a secular public representative.”
Former student leader MR Azim also wrote a post on Facebook. “Late Abdullah Al Noman always thought about Chattogram, and wanted to work for it. People in Chattogram will always remember you. We pay great respect to the valiant leader,” he wrote.
Writer Azad Bulbul said, “I don’t belong to the same political camp as him. However, secretly I always felt biased toward him. He had a friendly attitude which was incomparable. I pray for the salvation of the veteran politician’s soul.”
