Freedom fighter Anwar Hossain Khan Majnu passes away

Freedom fighter Anwar Hossain Khan, widely known as Majnu, a key organiser of the Liberation War in southern Bangladesh, former Dhaka University student leader and former director of Bangla Academy, died on Wednesday evening.

He was being treated at Green Life Hospital in the capital, where he breathed his last around 7pm on November 11. He was the husband of acclaimed novelist Selina Hossain.

His first namaz-e-janaza was held on Thursday morning at the Shyamoli Shishu Palli Mosque grounds in Dhaka. A second funeral prayer is scheduled to be held in the afternoon at his family home in Douatala Union under Bamna upazila of Barguna. He will later be buried beside the Liberation War memorial pillar 'Chiro Unnoto Shir' in front of Halta Douatala Wazed Ali Khan Degree College and Secondary School.

Anwar Hossain Khan played an active role in the student movement in what was then East Pakistan. He also served as vice-president of Iqbal Hall, now Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, at Dhaka University.

When the Liberation War began in 1971, he took on a key organisational role in the country's southern region. He made significant contributions to organising the war effort across the region, particularly at the headquarters of the Bookabunia sub-sector under Sector 9.

During his professional career, he served as a director of Bangla Academy and as general manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Alongside his professional responsibilities, he remained involved in promoting education and social development in his hometown.

Anwar Hossain Khan played a leading role in establishing Halta Douatala Wazed Ali Khan Degree College in Bamna upazila of Barguna. He also contributed to the establishment of several primary schools in the area and the upgrading of Halta Douatala Cooperative Junior School to a secondary school.

His death has cast a pall of grief among his fellow freedom fighters, former student movement leaders and activists, students and local residents.