Today, 9 December, marks the second death anniversary of Barrister Moinul Hossain, former adviser to the caretaker government and publisher of the English daily The New Nation.
On this day in 2023, he passed away while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. He had been suffering for more than a year from cancer-related complications.
According to family sources, a prayer gathering (doa), milad mahfil, and Qur’an recitation will be held today, Tuesday, at 11:30 AM at the Azimpur Graveyard in his memory and for the salvation of his soul. Additionally, a doa and milad mahfil has been arranged at the Ittefaq Bhaban on 1 R.K. Mission Road in Motijheel.
Various social organisations will also hold separate prayer gatherings and discussion sessions in memory of Barrister Moinul Hossain’s life and work. The Bangladesh Association of Journalists for Human Rights will organise a doa mahfil and discussion tomorrow, Wednesday at 11:00 AM at the Press Council Hall on Topkhana Road, highlighting the life and contributions of Moinul Hossain.
Barrister Moinul Hossain was a distinguished lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, columnist, and author. He was known as a staunch advocate for law, justice, democracy, and humanity.
As the founder and publisher of the English daily The New Nation, he made significant contributions to independent journalism. The eldest son of the fearless journalist and pioneer Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia, Moinul Hossain held various important state and social responsibilities throughout his life.
Born in January 1940 in Pirojpur, Moinul Hossain graduated from Dhaka University in 1961 and later went to London to pursue higher studies in law. He returned to the country in 1965 and began practicing law at the Dhaka Bar Council. After the death of Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia in 1969, he took over as editor of the daily Ittefaq and later served as chairman of its editorial board.
In 1973, he was elected a Member of Parliament from Bhandaria (Pirojpur) as an Awami League candidate. In protest against the abolition of democracy through the fourth amendment to the Constitution and the establishment of the one-party BAKSAL system by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in May 1975, he resigned from Parliament along with General M.A.G. Osmani.
He was elected president of the Supreme Court Bar Association for the 2000–2001 term. From January 2007 to January 2008, he served as adviser to the then caretaker government, overseeing the Ministries of Law, Information, and Land.
Barrister Moinul Hossain’s contributions to the establishment of democracy, freedom of the press, and an independent judiciary in Bangladesh remain shining examples of dedication and courage.
