Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib

Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib
First Lady of Bangladesh
In office
11 April 1971 – 12 January 1972
Personal details
Born 1930
Tungipara, Gopalganj
Died August 15, 1975(1975-08-15) (aged 44–45)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Cause of death Assassination
Spouse(s) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1938-1975)
Children Sheikh Hasina (daughter)
Sheikh Kamal † (son)
Sheikh Jamal † (son)
Sheikh Rehana (daughter)
Sheikh Russel † (son)

Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib (died 15 August 1975), was the First Lady of Bangladesh and the wife of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first President of Bangladesh. She was assassinated with her husband and three sons.[1]

Early life

She was born in Tungipara, Gopalganj in 1930.[2] Her father and mother died when she was five years old. She was under house arrest during Bangladesh liberation war until 17 December.[3]

Assassination

On 15 August 1975, a group of junior army officers attacked the presidential residence with tanks and assassinated Mujib, his family and personal staff. Only her daughters Sheikh Hasina Wajed and Sheikh Rehana, who were visiting West Germany, escaped. They were banned from returning to Bangladesh. Others killed included her 10-year-old son Sheikh Russel, two other sons sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, brother Abdur Rab Serniabat and brother-in-law Sheikh Naser, nephew Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani and his wife Arzoo Moni.[4] The coup was planned by disgruntled Awami League colleagues and military officers, which included Mujib's colleague and former confidanté Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, who became his immediate successor. Lawrence Lifschultz has alleged that the CIA was involved in the coup and assassination, basing his assumption on statements by the then US ambassador in Dhaka Eugene Booster.[5]

Mujib's death plunged the nation into many years of political turmoil. The coup leaders were soon overthrown and a series of counter-coups and political assassinations paralysed the country. Order was largely restored after a coup in 1977 gave control to the army chief Ziaur Rahman. Declaring himself President in 1978, Ziaur Rahman signed the Indemnity Ordinance, giving immunity from prosecution to the men who plotted Mujib's assassination and overthrow.

Legacy

Bangabandhu Memorial Trust in partnership with Malaysian hospital chain KPJ Healthcare built the Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Memorial KPJ Specialised Hospital and Nursing College in her memory.[6] The Hospital was inaugurated by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.[7] A dormitory in Eden college is named after her.[8] Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall is a female dorm in Rajshahi University.[9] Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Women's College is located in Tangail.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "new age". newagebd.net. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  2. ↑ "Begum Mujib: A tribute". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  3. ↑ "Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib's 81st birth anniversary today". archive.thedailystar.net. The Daily Star. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  4. ↑ Mahbub, Sumon. "Bangladesh plunges into mourning Bangabandhu on his 40th death anniversary". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  5. ↑ "In MOURNING, In RAGE". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  6. ↑ "PM to take all treatment at home". dhakatribune.com. BSS. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "Hasina, Malaysian PM unveil plaque". archive.thedailystar.net. Unb. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "Eden College dormitory emptied as it develops cracks after earthquake". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "9th RU convocation held". dhakatribune.com. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "Schoolgirls get karate training". archive.thedailystar.net. The Daily Star. Retrieved 10 February 2016.

External links

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