Family of slain Islamic University teacher faces financial hardship with 4 kids

The family of Asma Sadia Runa, a former chair of the Department of Social Welfare and assistant professor at Islamic University (IU), is facing severe financial hardship following her killing, as her husband struggles to support their four children. In response, the university administration has initiated a plan for teachers to donate one day's salary to assist the family.

In a letter signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Monjurul Haque on Wednesday (July 22), department heads were instructed to seek consent from faculty members regarding the proposed salary contribution.

According to the letter, Imtiaz Sultan, the late teacher's husband, submitted an application to the university's Zia Parishad, requesting financial assistance to help raise their four children. Based on that appeal, the university has begun the process of obtaining teachers' consent for a voluntary one-day salary deduction.

In his application, Imtiaz Sultan stated that Asma Sadia Runa was fatally stabbed while working in her office on March 4. Since her death, he has been struggling to support their three daughters and one son amid severe financial difficulties. He also said that, because he has been employed on a project basis, he has not received any salary or benefits from his workplace, Kushtia Polytechnic Institute, for the past five years.

He appealed for a job opportunity at the university as well as financial support from faculty members so that he can continue providing for his children's education and upbringing.

Professor Dr. Farukuzzaman Khan, president of the Zia Parishad, said that teachers had previously donated one day's salary to support the family of another deceased faculty member. However, he noted that under the law, salaries cannot be deducted without the consent of individual teachers, which is why department heads are now collecting their opinions.

On March 4, Assistant Professor Asma Sadia Runa was stabbed to death in the office of the Department of Social Welfare at Islamic University. University employee Fazlur Rahman was arrested in connection with the murder and sent to jail. Although several others have also been named as accused in the case, they have not yet been arrested.