Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah (8 September 1945 – 13 June 2020)[1][2][3] was a Bangladesh Awami League politician and lawyer who served as the State Minister of Religious Affairs from 2019 until his death in 2020. He was appointed the minister in the Fourth Sheikh Hasina Cabinet in January 2019.[4][5]
Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah | |
|---|---|
শেখ মোহাম্মদ আবদুল্লাহ | |
| State Minister of Religious Affairs | |
| In office 7 January 2019 – 13 June 2020 | |
| Prime Minister | Sheikh Hasina |
| Preceded by | Motiur Rahman |
| Succeeded by | Md Faridul Haq Khan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 September 1945 Gopalganj Mohhakuma, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Died | 13 June 2020 (aged 74) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Cause of death | COVID-19 |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Political party | Bangladesh Awami League |
| Children | He has a son named Sheikh Mohammadullah and nine daughters |
| Alma mater | |
Early life and education
editSheikh Mohammed Abdullah was born on 8 September 1945 in Gopalganj in the then Bengal Presidency, British India, into the aristocratic Sheikh family of Kekania village, he is son of Sheikh Mohammad Matiur Rahman and Mosammat Rabia Khatun.[6] He studied at a Qawmi madrasa and at Sultan Shahi Kekania primary school and high school. He completed his undergraduate studies at Azam Khan Government Commerce College in the Khulna District. In 1972, he completed his master's degree in communication from University of Dhaka. Two years later, in 1974, he completed his second masters in economics from the same university.[7]
Career
editAbdullah was the founding president of the Gopalganj unit of Jubo League, the youth wing of Awami League. He joined his former high school, Sultan Shahi Kekania High School, as the headmaster. He fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War as a member of the Mujib Bahini in 1971. In 1975, he was appointed the Joint Secretary of Gopalganj unit of the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League.[7] Then he served as the General Secretary of Gopalganj District Awami League for a long time and later also served as the president. Then he also served as the Religious Affairs Secretary of the Bangladesh Awami League Central Committee for a long time. He has also held various important positions at different times.[citation needed]
Abdullah practiced law at Dhaka and Gopalganj courts after getting a law degree from Central Law College, Dhaka in 1977. He served as the chief election agent of Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, in the Gopalganj-3 constituency. On 7 January 2019, he was appointed the State Minister of Religious Affairs.[7]
Death
editAbdullah died on 13 June 2020, near Jahangir Gate of Dhaka Cantonment while on his way to Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka.[8] He was found infected with COVID-19 after his death, marking the first death of a sitting cabinet minister in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.[9]
References
edit- ^ মাননীয় প্রতিমন্ত্রী. mora.portal.gov.bd. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- ^ ধর্ম প্রতিমন্ত্রী শেখ আব্দুল্লাহ মারা গেছেন. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ Ali Asif Shawon (8 May 2020). "Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to represent PM in Gopalganj-3 constituency". Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "Those who are new state ministers". The Daily Star. 6 January 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
- ^ ধর্ম প্রতিমন্ত্রী শেখ আব্দুল্লাহ মারা গেছেন. Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "State Minister Sheikh Md. Abdullah passes away". Barta24. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ a b c "Alhaj Advocate Sheikh Md. AbdullahHonorable State Minister — Bangladesh Hajj Management Portal". Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "State Minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Md Abdullah dies". Dhaka Tribune. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ ধর্ম প্রতিমন্ত্রী করোনা পজিটিভ ছিলেন [Minister of State for Religious Affairs was Corona Positive]. Jago News 24 (in Bengali). 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.