United News of Bangladesh

Uttara University has expressed deep sorrow at the death of its teacher Dr Dulali Rani Saha, an assistant professor at the Department of Education. In a Facebook post on Friday, the university said Dulali Rani’s dedication to education, warm personality and lasting contributions to the academic community will ever be remembered with great respect. It described her as one of the institution's pioneering members and a dependable colleague who could always be relied upon. Her death is a loss not only for the university but also for the country, which has lost a remarkable educator. The Uttara University family prayed for eternal peace of her departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to her bereaved family. Dulali Rani passed away around 10:30pm on Thursday.  

The 47th death anniversary of late Chief Justice Syed Mahbub Murshed, an eminent jurist will be observed on Friday. Quran Khani and Fateha Khani will be held at 10:00am at the late justice’s grave at Banani graveyard, said a press release. The Syed Mahbub Murshed Memorial Committee will also place floral wreaths at his grave to pay tribute. A luminary in the judicial field in South Asia and a respected figure in the political arena, Justice Murshed has been described by intellectuals as “a keeper of the national conscience”. As in previous years, various socio-cultural organisations will hold discussion meetings to observe the occasion. These programmes will highlight Justice Murshed’s striking personality, his historical role and his contributions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday expressed deep sorrow at the death of Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and an educationist. In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said Dilara Hafiz was a distinguished educationist and social worker. “With her death, the nation has lost a respected and dedicated educationist,” he said. Dilara Hafiz passed away at Singapore General Hospital at 1:29pm Singapore time on Saturday. She was 78. She is survived by husband, one son, one daughter, grandchildren and many well-wishers. During her long career, Dilara Hafiz made important contributions to the development of education in the country. She served as principal of Eden Mohila College and Suhrawardy College at different times. She also served as Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.

Dilara Hafiz, wife of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, passed away at a hospital in Singapore on Saturday. She was 78. She breathed her last at Singapore General Hospital at 1:29pm (Singapore time), said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Dilara is survived by husband, one son, one daughter, grandchildren and many well-wishers to mourn her death. Her body will be brought back to Bangladesh on Saturday evening, Sayrul said. He said Dilara’s first namaz-e-janaza will be held on March 30 at 11:00am at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, while the second janaza will be held after Johr prayers at the central mosque in Dhaka Cantonment. She will be laid to rest at Banani Military Graveyard, Sayrul added. Sayrul said Dilara Hafiz had been receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka for a long time. As her condition did not improve as expected she was taken to Singapore on the afternoon of Eid-ul-Fitr, he added.

GM Fazlul Haque, former Member of Parliament from Chandpur and an executive committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away on Tuesday evening at United Hospital in Dhaka. His eldest son, Barrister Ziaul Haque Ziku, and family members said Haque was 83 years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and numerous relatives and well-wishers. The family resided in Dhaka. Barrister Ziaul Haque Ziku mentioned that his father had been suffering from age-related illnesses for a long time and had received medical treatment both at home and abroad. GM Fazlul Haque hailed from Gazi Bari in Tarpurchandi village of Tarpurchandi Union in Chandpur Sadar. His Janaza prayers are scheduled to be held at his family home in Chandpur village, followed by burial at the family graveyard. Haque was elected as a Member of Parliament from Chandpur-3 in the 7th National Parliament in 1996 and the 8th National Parliament in 2001 as a BNP candidate. He also contested the 9th parliamentary elections in 2008 from the same constituency but lost to Awami League candidate Dr. Dipu Moni. During his tenure in parliament, he served as the Acting Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Posts and Telecommunications. Following his death, Chandpur-3 MP Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik and BNP leaders expressed deep condolences. Tributes also came from other political parties and professional organizations.

Ali Mahmud, City Editor of the daily Dinkal, died of a heart attack on Monday. He was 69. According to family members, Ali Mahmud did not return home on Sunday night, causing concern among his relatives.  On Monday morning, his wife, Jesmin Ara, along with other family members, went to the Jatiya Press Club to look for him. After staying there for some time, a cleaning staff member informed them that Ali Mahmud was found lying unconscious in a washroom of the club. Police later took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Ali Mahmud is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter. Born in 1956 in Paba upazila of Rajshahi, Ali Mahmud began his journalism career completing his graduation from Rajshahi University.  His first workplace was the Rajshahi-based daily Barta. He later joined Dinkal after moving to Dhaka. He worked at Dinkal for a long time, serving in several important positions, and was last working as its City Editor. Ali Mahmud was a permanent member of the Jatiya Press Club, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and Dhaka Journalists Union (DUJ).  He was also a member of BNP’s media cell. Following the news of his death, a pall of grief descended over journalists, including his colleagues at Dinkal.  Fellow journalists described him as a simple and humble person and a dedicated working journalist who remained active in the field throughout his career. Freedom fighter Abdur Rashid Molla dies in Narshingdi Leaders of various journalist organisations expressed deep sorrow over his death. Acting President of the Dhaka Federal Journalists Union Obaidur Rahman Shahin and its General Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury mourned his demise. DUJ President Shahidul Islam and General Secretary Khurshid Alam, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel, and National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz and General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan also expressed condolences in separate messages, praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveying sympathy to the bereaved family. In separate condolence messages, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Media Cell Convener Professor Maudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Member Secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, and BNP Chairperson’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli also expressed deep shock and sorrow at Ali Mahmud’s death.

Abdur Rashid Molla, a  freedom fighter and an adviser of Narsingdi district BNP, died at a hospital in Dhaka on Saturday morning. He was 80. He breathed his last around 9:30 am, family sources said. Rashid, a former commander of the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad  in Narsingdi and  a former chairman of Joynagar Union Parishad , is survived by wife, four sons, one daughter and many relatives. His first namaz-e-janaza will be held after Asr prayers at Narsingdi Collectorate Mosque. A second janaza will take place after Esha prayers at his village home in Joynagar village under Shibpur upazila. Man held over killing of freedom fighter, wife in Rangpur He will be buried at the family graveyard with state honour. BNP Joint Secretary General and Narsingdi district BNP President Khairul Kabir Khokon, district BNP General Secretary Manjur Elahi, Narsingdi Press Club President Makhan Das, General Secretary Asadul Haque Palash and Narsingdi District Bar Association President Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan expressed deep sorrow at his death and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.

The interim government on Thursday said that law enforcement agencies did not fire any shots during the protest march organised by Inqilab Moncho near the state guest house Jamuna, demanding justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. In a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, the government said that despite a ban on all forms of protests, rallies and gatherings in and around Jamuna and adjacent areas, law enforcers initially did not use any force against the protesters who began their march on Friday afternoon. The statement said the situation escalated when protesters broke through police barricades and attempted to advance towards Jamuna. At one stage, some protesters climbed onto a water cannon, prompting law enforcement agencies to intervene to bring the situation under control. To disperse the crowd, sound grenades and water cannons were used. The government firmly stated that no bullets were fired at any point during the incident. It said that the restrictions around Jamuna have been imposed to maintain public order and ensure the security of the Chief Adviser. In this context, police acted in a lawful and procedural manner to disperse the protesters. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police also confirmed that no lethal weapons were used during the operation. Nearly 40 injured as security forces crackdown on Inqilab Moncho march towards Jamuna According to information received from doctors on duty at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, a total of 23 people, including Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, received medical treatment following the incident. However, doctors confirmed that none of the injured had sustained gunshot wounds. The government reiterated its firm commitment to ensuring justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. It said the legal aspects of conducting an investigation under the United Nations are being reviewed thoroughly and an official letter will be sent to the relevant UN body on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Rejecting allegations of excessive use of force against protesters, the government urged all concerned to exercise patience, restraint and responsibility during this sensitive political period ahead of the upcoming election. It also called upon citizens to cooperate in ensuring a peaceful, fair, inclusive and credible election, describing the forthcoming polls as a historic milestone in the country’s democratic journey.

National Press Club member and veteran journalist Zakaria Kajal passed away on Friday afternoon. He was 67. He breathed his last around 3:30 pm while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and numerous relatives, colleagues, and admirers. He had been suffering from various physical complications, including liver, kidney and heart ailments, as well as diabetes, for a long time. Born on December 16, 1959, Kajal worked as Head of News at Dainik Azad, Inqilab, The Observer, bdnews24.com and, most recently, Jamuna Television. His namaz-e-janaza will be held at the National Press Club premises at 1:00 pm on Saturday. National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz and General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan have expressed deep shock and sorrow over his death. In a statement, the leaders prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed their deepest condolences to his bereaved family members.

Islamic University (IU) retired professor Dr Md Afaz Uddin of the Dawah and Islamic Studies department passed away on Tuesday night at his residence in Kushtia. His Namaz-e-Janaza will be held on Wednesday (February 5) at 9:00 am at Nishan intersection in Kushtia town. He will be laid to rest at Bakosh Pota village in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah district. Meanwhile, the IU administration, including Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah, expressed deep condolence over his passing.