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DHAKA, June 19, 2026 (BSS) - Ekushey Padak-winning eminent poet, researcher, editor and former literary editor of the daily Ittefaq Al Mujahidi is no more.
He passed away at 1:40 pm today while undergoing treatment at United Hospital in the capital.
He was 83.
The poet will be buried at Mirpur Shaheed Intellectuals' Graveyard after his namaz-e-janaza at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque following Zuhr prayers tomorrow, according to the Secretary of Deshiyo Sangskritik Sangsad Parishad, Dr Monowarul Islam.
His first namaz-e-janaza will be held at the National Press Club at 12 noon tomorrow.
The poet was an adviser to the cultural organization Deshiyo Sangskritik Sangsad Parishad.
Quoting the poet's son, Shabib Al Mujahidi, it was said that he was admitted to hospital on Wednesday in a critical condition.
He suffered multiple cardiac arrests during treatment. He was also suffering from blood infection, kidney complications and heart-related problems.
Despite continuous efforts by doctors, he could not be revived after another cardiac arrest this afternoon, when he was declared dead at 1:40 pm.
His daughter, Mariyama Jabin Al Mujahidi, said her father had been suffering from various illnesses for nearly two years.
He had undergone stent placement in his heart twice.
He was diagnosed with chikungunya in July last year, after which kidney complications developed.
He was first admitted to United Hospital on April 23 last year.
After partial recovery, he was discharged on May 26 and taken to his residence in Uttara Sector-10.
He was later admitted to Crescent Hospital on June 4 after his condition deteriorated again.
Doctors at that time said multiple organs, including his kidneys and heart, were failing.
He was readmitted to United Hospital on June 15 and placed on life support from the following day.
He suffered a final cardiac arrest at 1:40 pm today, when doctors declared him dead.
Born on January 1, 1943 in Naruchi village of Gopalpur upazila in Tangail district, Al Mujahidi was the son of playwright and organizer Abdul Halim Jamali and lyricist and social worker Sakhina Khan.
He was widely regarded as one of the significant voices of 1960s Bengali poetry, known for blending modern poetic expression with rural folk traditions.
Earth, nature, love, national consciousness and introspection were central themes in his works.
Throughout his long literary career, he made notable contributions to poetry, novels, short stories, drama, essays and translation literature. He authored more than fifty books.
His notable poetry collections include "Hemloker Peyala," "Dhrupad O Terracotta," "Mrittika Atimrittika,", "Kaler Bandhishey," "Kado Hiroshima Kando Nagasaki," "Praccha Prithibi" and "Sondhar Brishti."
He also made significant contributions to novels, short stories, essays and children's literature.
In addition, he translated works of poets such as Kaifi Azmi, Ahmad Faraz and Heinrich Heine.
In his professional life, he served for more than three decades as the literary editor of the daily Ittefaq. His edited literary magazine "Notun Ek Matra" was published until recently.
For his outstanding contribution to Bengali language and literature, the government awarded him the Ekushey Padak in 2003.
He was also honored with several awards including the Jibanananda Das Academy Award, Kazi Nazrul Islam Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Academy Award, Sher-e-Bangla Parishad Award and Joy Bangla Literary Award.
He is survived by his wife Polin Parveen, son Shabib Al Mujahidi, daughter Mariyama Jabin Al Mujahidi, grandchildren and numerous admirers.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep shock and sorrow at his death.
He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.
