Home
+
Published : 15 Dec 2017, 08:21 PM
The burial took place at the Chashma Hill Mosque Graveyard at Sholoshohor on Friday evening following a Namaz-e-Janaza after the Maghrib prayers.
Thousands took part in another Janaza of the veteran politician at Laldighi grounds after the Asr prayers.
The freedom fighter was also given state honour.
The Awami League heavyweight passed away at a hospital in the port city around 3am. He had been suffering from heart disease and kidney complication for a long time and recently underwent a surgery in Singapore.
ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury
When the news of his passing got out in the morning, politicians from across the political divide and people from all walks of life gathered at his house at the lane, known as ‘Mayorer Goli’.
The coffin was taken to the Awami League’s Chittagong offices at Fazal Market where the party leaders and activists paid last respects to the veteran leader in the afternoon.
He was the political guru to some while some others treated him like a guardian.
The three-time mayor of the city did not contest in parliamentary polls after being defeated in 1986 and 1991.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader told reporters at Mohiuddin’s house in the afternoon that he even refused Hasina’s offer to become a presidium member of the party and a minister of her government because of his affection for Chittagong.
ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury's wife Hasina Mohiuddin and other members of the family at the hospital.
Chittagong Awami League has announced a three-day mourning for their president.
The members of the party unit will wear black badges during the period.
On Sunday, an event will be held at the Musafirkhana Mosque where the Quran will be recited.
ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury with Bangabandhu
ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury in his youth
Khorshed Alam Sujon, a vice president of Chittagong Awami League, said the void created by the death of Mohiuddin could never be filled.
“We’ve lost a leader, and Chittagong has lost its guardian,” said Ibrahim Hossain Chowdhury Bablu, another vice-president of the Awami League unit.
“He was acceptable to leaders and activists of all the parties. He was everyone’s leader who stood by the residents of Chittagong in trying times,” Bablu said, speaking to bdnews24.com at Mohiuddin’s house.
Mohiuddin worked as mayor of the country's financial capital from 1994 to 2010 before being defeated by his political disciple M Manzur Alam, who won the election with the BNP’s backing and was appointed an adviser to the party’s Chairperson Khaleda Zia later.
Manzur, however, always spoke highly of his 'guru' Mohiuddin and rushed to his house on Friday morning after hearing the news of his death.
Freedom fighter ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury is given a guard of honour. Photo: suman babu
People follow the hearse carrying the body of ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury
Mohiuddin also campaigned for Nasir following instructions from the party but harshly criticised the new mayor over holding tax hike, ‘mismanagement’ at the maritime port, and control over Bangladesh Chhatra League in educational institutions in past two years.
The two leaders, however, were also seen shaking hands following tensions between their supporters.
“The pain of losing Mohiuddin Bhai is unspeakable. He was the guardian of entire Chittagong Awami League, not only the city,” Nasir said at Mohiuddin’s house.
At his residence on Friday, it was a scene of mass grieving. Even, three female cleaners of the city corporation came to get a last glimpse of the former mayor, but failed in their first attempt due to the huge crowd.
ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury
To those three women, like many others, Mohiuddin was still ‘Mayor Shab’ or Mr Mayor.
BNP activist Zahirul Islam came from Oxygen area to attend Mohiuddin’s funeral prayers.
“We will never see such a leader again. I have come to the prayers out of my respect and love for him. He always stood by the people without caring about their party affiliation,” Zahirul said.
In Mayor Nasir’s words, his love for people made Mohiuddin ‘a leader of the masses’.
Among others, BNP National Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury came to pay last respects to Mohiuddin.
“We had political differences, but we were very close…He always stood up against thw criminalisation of politics,” he said.
