Staff Reporter:
Matia Chowdhury, a senior member of the Awami League’s Presidium and a veteran politician, was laid to eternal rest at Mirpur Intellectuals’ Graveyard on Thursday.
She was buried at the same grave as her late husband, renowned journalist Bazlur Rahman, after Zuhr prayer following a second namaz-e-janaza at Gulshan Azad Mosque, said General Secretary of Nakla upazila unit Awami League Shafiqul Islam Jinnah.
People from all walks of life including Awami League leaders and activists from the Sherpur-2 constituency participated in the namaz-e-janaza and paid their last respects to the veteran Awami League leader.
Her first namaz-e-janaza was held at her Ramna Apartment Complex residence in the capital in the morning.
Earlier in the day, an ambulance carrying Matia Chowdhury’s body arrived at her residence, where friends, family members and many followers gathered to bid her a final farewell.
Matia Chowdhury’s brother Masudul Islam Chowdhury said that they have requested a new burial plot from the city corporation at the Mirpur Intellectuals’ Graveyard. “If granted, she will be buried there; otherwise, she will be laid to rest in her husband Bazlur Rahman’s grave.”
Veteran politician and former minister Matia Chowdhury passed away at a hospital in the capital on Wednesday at the age of 82.
The passing of Matia Chowdhury marks the end of an era, leaving a void in Bangladesh’s politics. Her legacy, both as a stalwart leader and a passionate advocate for the people, will be remembered for generations to come.
Born on 30 June 1942, Matia was married to the renowned journalist Bazlur Rahman on 18 June 1968.
Later, she was elected as the parliamentary member of Sherpur-2 in 1991. The fourth time MP also served as the agriculture minister during the Awami League reign in 1996, 2009, and 2013.
She also served as the Food and Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.
Matia became involved in politics during her study at Eden College and was elected as the president of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union in 1965.
Matia, who was named ‘Agni Kanya’ (firebrand woman), joined the East Pakistan National Awami Party in 1967.
She was also a freedom fighter. The Awami League leader joined the party in 1979 and played an important role in different movements.
