Enayetullah Khan Passed Away
manik
(The New Age, Nov. 11, 20050)
Enayetullah Khan, Titan of Bangladeshi journalism of regional and
international repute for his fearlessness for more than four decades,
has passed away. Editor of the daily New Age and editor-in-chief of the
weekly Holiday, Enayetullah Khan breathed his last at the Toronto
General Hospital at 10:23pm Canadian eastern time on Wednesday (9:23am
Dhaka time on Thursday). He was 66.
Enayetullah Khan was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas early
this year and had been undergoing treatment in Toronto since March. He
had been convalescing at his daughter's home in Toronto, but was
rushed to the hospital earlier in the week after developing
post-surgical infection.
Having begun his career as a journalist as a cub reporter for the
then Pakistan Observer in 1959, Enayetullah Khan went on to found the
weekly Holiday in August 1965, before taking over as editor of the
paper in 1966. He founded the daily New Age as its editor and publisher
in June 2003. He was also the editor of the Bangladesh Times between
1975 and 1977. He was awarded the Ekushey Padak for excellence in
journalism.
He served as minister of the government of Bangladesh (1977-1978)
and as an ambassador to China, North Korea, Cambodia and Myanmar
(1984-1989).
Known for his democratic activism, Enayetullah Khan was at the
forefront of the Buddhijibi Nidhan Tathyanusandhan Committee instituted
on December 18, 1971 to investigate murders of intellectuals in the
terminal days of the war of independence in 1971 by the Al-Badr and
Al-Shams - the killer wings of the Jamaat-e-Islami. He was also an
organiser of the Civil Liberties and Legal Aid Committee (1974) that
defended the political victims of the Rakkhi Bahini; the Famine
Resistance Committee (1974); the Farakka March Committee led by Moulana
Bhasani (1976); and the Committee Against Communalism (1981).
A Master's in philosophy from Dhaka University, in his student
days he held leadership positions as general secretary of Ananda Mohan
College Students' Union in Mymensingh, member of the Dhaka University
Students' Union (1958-59), and vice-president of Dhaka Hall (now
Shahidullah Hall) Students' Union (1959-60).
He was president of the National Press Club (1973-76) and the Dhaka
Club (1984-85).
Born on May 25, 1939 in Mymensingh, Enayetullah Khan was the third
son of the late Justice Abdul Jabbar Khan, a former speaker of the
Pakistan National Assembly. Among his siblings were journalist Sadeq
Khan, the late poet and bureaucrat Abu Zafar Obaidullah, politician
Rashed Khan Menon, the state minister for cultural affairs Selima
Rahman, and New Age managing director Shahidullah Khan.
Enayetullah Khan leaves behind his wife Najma Khan, daughter Nasreen
Zaman who works for the Canadian federal government, sons Mumit Khan,
associate professor of computer science at BRAC University, and Masud
Khan, a corporate lawyer in the United States, and two grandchildren.
(The New Age, Nov. 11, 2005)
We mourn
The death of Enayetullah Khan on Thursday morning robs New Age of much
more than just its editor.
He wrote in the very first issue of New Age: 'Dreaming higher and
profiling Bangladesh after those images are things we want to do. Like
the "farsighted falcons," we want to look past the immediate
horizon and into the future waiting to be taken over by us. We want to
catch Time, speeding and roaring down its eternal path.
Catch it we must, if not by the forelock, at least from the hind.
'In putting together New Age, we wanted to lose ourselves in the
celebration of hope in our confident, though uneven, stride towards
futurity. We wanted to construct a platform of ideas and thoughts, and
build on it a Bangladesh that indeed is our higher dream.'
Enayetullah Khan was a man of indomitable spirit, and one of
tremendous optimism. With us, the New Age family, he dreamt of a
newspaper that would be a platform of ideas and thoughts that would
advance liberal, democratic and secular values. And thus it would
contribute to building the Bangladesh that was his - and our -
higher dream.
In his unquenchable thirst for perfection - in his language and
his factual assertions - he was a bastion of professionalism that
each of us will forever strive to achieve; in his unending
industriousness and energy he was the quintessential leader by example;
in the bounty of knowledge and trivia he had in store for us, he was
the grand old editor that one would imagine him to be; and in the
grace, magnanimity and humility he reserved for us ever-so-often, he
was our beacon - as an editor and a human being.
Enayetullah Khan was a man of vision. And he was a man of
conviction. In his life, New Age has always reflected his unwavering
belief in liberalism, democracy and secularism. And it will continue to
do so in his death.
For as we mourn today the death of our editor, our mentor, our
guiding light, we pledge anew, as we did alongside our editor at the
beginning of the journey that has been New Age, to carry on the
struggle 'to catch Time, speeding and roaring down its eternal
path'. Catch it we must. (THE NEW AGE, Nov. 11, 2005)
Condolences
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
A cross-section of society, including the president, Iajuddin Ahmed,
and the prime minister Khaleda Zia, Jatiya Sangsad speaker Jamir Uddin
Sircar, politicians, business leaders, educationists, journalists,
cultural personalities, and different organisations, on Thursday
expressed shock at the death of Enayetullah Khan.
They prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed
sympathy with Enayetullah's family members.
President
Iajuddin, in a condolence message, expressed his shock at the death
and recalled Enayetullah's contribution to journalism.
Terming Enayetullah a noted journalist, columnist, diplomat, good
orator and intellectual, Iajuddin said, 'The nation has lost an
eminent journalist in his death and his contribution to nation-building
will be ever remembered.'
Prime minister
Expressing her shock, Khaleda Zia said the country had lost a
journalist of international stature, intellectual and patriotic
politician in Enayetullah's death. The death is an irreparable loss
to the nation, she said.
Terming him a person of versatile genius, progressive and democratic
outlook, Khaleda said Enayetullah made significant contribution to
different democratic movements and nation-building activities to
brighten Bangladesh's image.
Khaleda said Enayetullah had set an example by creating a new trend
in journalism in the early 1960s, which subsequently inspired
contemporary journalists. He will remain a source of inspiration for
future journalists, she said.
She praised his contributions to the development of Bangladeshi
nationalism and upholding the spirit of patriotism.
The prime minister's press secretary, Tajul Islam, telephoned
Nasreen Zaman, daughter of the late Enayetullah, in Toronto to convey
the prime minister's condolence.
SAFMA
The South Asian Free Media Association at an inauguration of the
two-day, second SAARC journalists' summit in Dhaka expressed shock at
the death and observed a one-minute silence, seeking peace for the
departed soul.
Press
The National Press Club president, Reazuddin Ahmed, and general
secretary Shoukat Mahmud expressed their shock at the death of
Enayetullah, who was a former president of the club.
The club postponed all amusement programmes scheduled for the
children of the club members to be held today.
The Bangladesh Council of Editors, Bangladesh Federal Union of
Journalists, Dhaka Union of Journalist, Press Institute of Bangladesh,
Dhaka Reporters' Unity expressed shock and offered condolences.
The journalists' organisations said Enayetullah Khan was 'editor
of the editors' and the guardian of the journalist community.
The weekly Jai Jai Din editor, Shafique Rehman, Independent editor
Mahbubul Alam, Khabarpatra editor Gias Kamal Chowdhury, News Today
editor Reazuddin Ahmed, Sangbad editor Bazlur Rahman, columnist
Mahfuzullah and former principal information officer Abdur Rahim
visited the New Age office to offer condolences.
Politicians
Former president Abdur Rahman Biswas, former president and
Bikalpadhara Bangladesh chief AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, offered their
condolence on the death.
The minister for finance and planning, M. Saifur Rahman, LGRD and
cooperatives minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, environment and forest
minister Tariqul Islam, information minister M Shamsul Islam, shipping
minister Akbar Hossain, textiles and jute minister Shajahan Siraj, law
minister Moudud Ahmed, Jatiya Sangsad deputy speaker Akhtar Hamid
Siddiqui, education minister M Osman Farruk, Dhaka mayor Sadeque
Hossain Khoka, housing and public works minister Mirza Abbas, state
minister for education ANM Ehsanul Hoque, state minister for youth and
sports Fazlur Rahman, state minister for housing and public works
Alamgir Kabir, Rajshahi mayor Mizanur Rahman and Sylhet mayor Badar
Uddin Ahmed Kamran offered their condolence on the death.
Others
National Professor and USTC vice-chancellor Nurul Islam,
Ganashasthaya Kendra project coordinator Zafrullah Chowdhury, Shahjalal
University of Science and Technology vice-chancellor Mosleh Uddin
Ahmed, One Bank managing director Syed Nurul Amin, former FBCCI
president Abdul Awal Mintoo, Women Entrepreneurs' Association of
Bangladesh president Nasrin Awal Mintoo, Banglalink chief commercial
officer Mehboob Chowdhury, Rajshahi chamber president Lutfor Rahman,
Sylhet chamber president Faruque Mahmud Misbah, the chairman of the
Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Sylhet Abdul Baquee
Chowdhury and Bangladesh Parliament Journalists' Association, Dhaka
University Journalists' Association, Dhaka Sangbadpatra Hawkers'
Bahumukhi Samabay Samiti Limited, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesher
Samyabadi Dal, Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Workers Party of Bangladesh,
Union of New Age Journalists, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Bangladesh Chhatra
Union, Bangladesh Chhatra Moitri, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir,
Dhaka College Ex-Students' Association, Aga Khan Council, Centre for
Sustainable Development, Bangladesh chapter World Energy Council,
Karmajibi Nari, Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh,
Sylhet District Lawyers' Association, Rajshahi Union of Journalists,
Rajshahi district and city Awami League, Rajshahi Protection Movement
Council, Bangladesh Women Journalists' Society, Barisal Reporters'
Unity, Barisal Journalists' Union, and press clubs and reporters'
organisations in Sylhet, Rajshahi, Barisal, Jhalakati, Patuakhali,
Bakerganj, Bhola, Pirojpur, Barguna, Gournadi, Agailjhara, Wazirpur,
Banaripara, Bauphal, Kalapara, Betagi, Amtali, Mathbaria, Swarupkati,
Borhanuddin, Lalmohan and Charfesson, in separate messages, offered
condolences.
The personalities and organisations recalled the chequered career of
Enayetullah. He was a widely and highly regarded journalist and
political analyst, who earned love and respect of all, irrespective of
their political opinions, they said.
Referring to the Weekly Holiday, they said this newspaper edited by
Enayetullah Khan had once played the role of people's voice and true
journalism in this part of the world.
In their condolence messages, they paid their tributes to
Enayetullah and described him as a symbol of 'courage' in
journalism as his sharp pen brought forth many facts to public eyes.
(THE NEW AGE, Nov. 11, 2005).
------
(THE DAILY STAR. Nov. 11, 2005)
Tribute
Passing away of an icon
Mahfuz Anam
He was by far the best among us; courageous, articulate, clear
thinking, highly political and refreshingly outspoken. His was a life
totally dedicated to journalism. Unabashedly opinionated and
unreservedly expressive about his views, he was an icon for us who took
up journalism as a profession.
The passing away of Enayetullah Khan, lovingly called "Minto Bhai" by
almost everybody who knew him, marks the demise of one of the most
respected journalists in the country, a respect he earned by his total
commitment to the profession and by his unrelenting fight for press
freedom. Whatever his liking for any particular regime, and whosoever
he wrote in favour of, on the issue of press freedom and against all
forms of censorship he would never hesitate to raise his voice even if
it meant hurting those he supported. During the height of his
professional career, which extended over four decades, he exuded an
unmatched charisma that made him such a unique personality in our
profession. Always the centre of conversation, one had to listen to him
intently even if one disagreed with him utterly. He never shied away
from taking up strong political positions in his weekly column that
endeared him to many and made many others his detractors. But he really
did not care. He had things to say, which he said without hesitation or
consideration as to who liked it or not.
He first distinguished himself as the young editor of weekly Holiday in
the mid-sixties when, in his late twenties, he stunned his readers by
his uncompromising and bold stand against the dictatorship of
Pakistan's "Iron Man", Gen. Ayub Khan. He joined our Liberation War and
played a leading part, during the initial days of our freedom, in
investigating the killings of intellectuals by Pakistani army and their
local collaborators. Unfortunately his work remained unfinished.
After that we saw him constantly raising his voice against all forms of
repressive measures during all the successive regimes in Bangladesh.
Even from his sickbed in Ottawa, which tragically turned out to be the
last few weeks of his life, he raised his voice against a new form of
oppression and wrote some of his most powerful pieces against religious
fundamentalism and terrorism.
His last significant contribution to English language journalism in
Bangladesh is to give the nation a high quality English daily, New Age,
which has already made its mark in the country.
On a personal level, I admired him greatly for his commitment to
journalism. I briefly worked under his editorship in The Bangladesh
Times in the mid-seventies. His editorial briefings were always
precise, clear and to the point. I admired his knowledge of subjects
and his ability to combine multiple ideas and weave them into a
cohesive editorial. His editing skills were superb. He was always
accessible, frank and direct. With his passing we lose a great leader
of our profession, one to whom we could turn to when in need of
guidance and moral support. Now that guiding light is gone.
May his soul rest in peace.
(THE DAILY STAR, Nov. 11, 2005)
Daily star, Nov. 11, 2005
Enayetullah Khan no more
Staff Correspondent
Veteran journalist Enayetullah Khan passed away yesterday at a hospital
in Canada. He was 66.
Enayetullah, editor of the daily New Age and editor-in-chief of the
weekly Holiday, had been undergoing treatment in Toronto after he was
diagnosed with cancer of pancreas early this year.
He had been convalescing at his daughter's home in Toronto, but was
rushed to Toronto General Hospital earlier in the week after developing
post-surgical infection. He breathed his last at the hospital at 9:23am
Bangladesh time yesterday.
Popularly known as Mintoo Bhai in journalist community, Enayetullah
Khan left behind his wife, a daughter, two sons and two grandchildren.
His body is expected to reach Dhaka in four days, family sources said.
President Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Information
Minister M Shamsul Islam expressed deep shock at the death of
Enayetullah Khan.
Born on May 25, 1939, Enayetullah was the third son of the late Justice
Abdul Jabbar Khan, a former speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly.
His siblings include journalist Sadeq Khan, the late poet and
bureaucrat Abu Zafar Obaidullah Khan, politician Rashed Khan Menon,
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Selima Rahman and New Age Managing
Director Shahidullah Khan.
Having begun his career as a journalist as a cub reporter for the then
Pakistan Observer in 1959, Enayetullah Khan founded the weekly Holiday
in August 1965, before taking over as editor of the paper in 1966. He
founded the daily New Age as its editor and publisher in June 2003.
He was also the editor of the Bangladesh Times during 1975-77.
In his chequered career, Enayetullah Khan also served as a minister in
1977-78 and as ambassador to China, North Korea, Cambodia and Myanmar
between 1984-89.
Known for his democratic activism, Enayetullah Khan was at the
forefront of the Buddhijibi Nidhan Tathyanusandhan Committee instituted
on December 18, 1971 to investigate murders of intellectuals in the
terminal days of the War of Independence by the Al-Badr and Al-Shams,
the assassination wings of Jamaat-e-Islami.
Enayetullah Khan was also an organiser of the Civil Liberties and Legal
Aid Committee and the Famine Resistance Committee in 1974, the Farakka
March Committee led by Moulana Bhasani in 1976 and the Committee
Against Communalism in 1981.
Enayetullah Khan obtained master's degree in philosophy from Dhaka
University. During his student life, he was general secretary of Ananda
Mohan College Students Union in Mymensingh, member of the Dhaka
University Students Union in 1958-59 and vice-president of Dhaka Hall
(now Shahidullah Hall) Students Union in 1959-60.
He was president of the Jatiya Press Club in 1973-76 and the Dhaka Club
in 1984-85.
MORE CONDOLENCES
Journalist community, ministers, political organisations, NGOs and
human rights organisations have condoled the death of veteran
journalist Enayetullah Khan.
Dhaka Union of Journalists (BFUJ) President Gias Kamal Chowdhury and
Secretary General Ruhul Amin Gazi, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ)
President Elahi Newaz Khan and General Secretary Sardar Farid Ahmed,
and Jatiya Press Club President Reazuddin Ahmed and General Secretary
Shawkat Mahmud in separate messages expressed deep shock at his death.
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Law Minister
Moudud Ahmed, Education Minister Osman Farruk, Jute and Textiles
Minister Shajahan Siraj, Environment and Forest Minister Tariqul Islam,
Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain, Fisheries and Livestock Minister
Abdullah Al Noman, Dhaka City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, daily
Ittefaq Editor Anwar Hossain Manju. Communist Party of Bangladesh and
Workers Party leaders also condoled the death of the New Age editor.
They paid rich tribute to the memory of Enayetullah Khan and recalled
his contributions in the fields of journalism, education and social
welfare.
Other organisations include Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Forum of
Environment Journalists of Bangladesh, Dhaka University Journalists'
Association, Press Institute of Bangladesh, Karmajibi Nari, Bangladesh
Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights, Centre for Sustainable
Development, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jatiyatabadi Jubo
Dal, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Bangladesh Chhatra Moitri.
The Union of New Age Journalists has also expressed deep shock at the
death of Enayetullah Khan. The Union leaders prayed for the salvation
of the departed soul and wished that the members of the bereaved family
gets strength to overcome the shock. (The Daily Star, November 11,
2005)
Seeker
May he rest in peace. Indeed a great loss!
"manik" <mwz...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1131728832.9...@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...