Children’s writer Amirul Islam no more

Prominent children’s writer Amirul Islam died early Friday (September 11) while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Dhaka. He was 62.

He died at 1:07am after spending four days on life support, his elder brother Kamal Ahmed Bacchu confirmed.

Islam had been suffering from kidney complications for a prolonged period. His condition deteriorated on Sunday night, when he was placed on life support.

His first funeral prayer will be held at 1:35pm Friday at the Channel i premises following Jumma prayers. His body will then be taken to Bangla Academy’s Bardhaman House premises, where people will be able to pay their last respects from 3pm. A second janaza will be held there at 3:30pm.

On the way to Mirpur’s Golartek, his body will be taken to Bishwo Shahitto Kendro at Banglamotor for 15 minutes, where he will be remembered by the organisation with which he was associated.

His third and final funeral prayer will be held at Golartek Eidgah Jame Mosque. He will then be buried beside his mother at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Cemetery in Mirpur, in accordance with his final wish.

Born on April 7, 1964, in Lalbagh, Dhaka, Islam devoted much of his literary career to children’s literature. He wrote stories, rhymes and other creative works for young readers and published more than 200 books.

He received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2006 for his contribution to children’s literature. His writing blended imagination and entertainment with reflections on life and social realities.

Islam was also active in the media and served for many years as head of the programme department at Channel i. His work across literature and television made him a familiar figure in Bangladesh’s cultural sphere.

His death has prompted an outpouring of grief among writers, literary figures and cultural personalities.