Mayor Annisul's body arrives

Staff Correspondent: The body of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq, who died in a London hospital on Thursday after months of his battle with various neuro complications, arrived in the capital Dhaka on Saturday noon.

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, carrying the body of the businessman-turned-politician, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 12:45pm.

Annisul’s younger brother and Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq received the body at the airport.

From the airport, the body was being taken to his Banani residence. Later, it will be taken to Bangladesh Army Stadium where people from all walks of life will pay their last respects to Annisul Huq.

Family sources said his namaz-e-janaza will be held at the Bangladesh Army Stadium at around 4.00pm on the day. His first janaza was held at the Regent Park Central Mosque in London. He will be buried at the Banani graveyard.

DNCC Public Relations Officer (PRO) ASM Mamun said his dead body will be kept at the Army Stadium at 3:00pm so that common people can pay their last tribute for him.

Mr Huq breathed his last at 10:30pm Bangladesh time at Wellington Hospital at the age of 65. His wife Rubana Huq, two daughters and his only son were at his side.

He was admitted to National Neuroscience Hospital on August 13 after he became sick due to various neurological problems (dizziness and lack of balance) during his London visit, which started on July 29, according to a DNCC press release.

Subsequently, he was diagnosed with cerebral vasculitis, and was under treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital.

Annisul was showing some improvements lately, but his condition deteriorated suddenly on Tuesday. Then he was shifted to ICU of Wellington Hospital.

A successful entrepreneur and businessman, Annisul left behind a host of relatives, admirers, well-wishers and followers to mourn his death.

As the death news spread on Thursday, people started mourning for him in public and on social media.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Finance Minister A M A Muhith, Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Law Minister Annisul Huq, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon, various other trade bodies and civil society organisations condoled his death and expressed sympathy for the bereaved family.

Annisul was elected DNCC mayor on Awami League ticket in April 2015. He served as the President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for two consecutive terms in 2005 and 2006.

Annisul served as the President of the Federation of the Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the apex trade body of the country, from 2008 to 2010 and was the founding president of Bangladesh Independent Power Producers’ Association (BIPPA) from June 1 to November 30, 2015.

Annisul established his own business entity in 1986 and was the chairperson of nine export-oriented organisations under the trade name of ‘Mohammadi Group’.

risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 2, 2017/Arif Shaon/AI