Ministers, diplomats, politicians, different socio-cultural organisations and people from all walks of life have expressed deep shock at the death of Dhaka North City Corporation(DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq.
Annisul, also a successful businessmen and popular television programme host, breathed his last at a London hospital on Thursday at the age of 66. He was undergoing treatment at the hospital for neurological problem.
LGRD Minister Khandaker Mosharref Hossain, Minister for Science and Technology architect Yafes Osman, Deputy leader of the Jatiya Sangsad Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and Bikalpadhara Bangladesh president Badrudozza Chy, among others, expressed profound shock at his death on Friday.
People from all strata expressed their shock on social media at the death of the businessman-turned politician.
DNCC Public Relations Officer (PRO) ASM Mamun said the body of the late mayor will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:20 am on Saturday.
Family members and DNCC officials will be present at the airport. The body will then be taken to his Banani residence, he said.
The body of Annisul will be taken to Army Stadium on Saturday afternoon where people from all walks of life will pay their last tributes to the mayor and then he will be buried at Banani graveyard after Asar prayers, he said.
Annisul was elected mayor with Awami League ticket in April 2015. He served as the President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for two consecutive terms in 2005 and 2006.
Annisul served as the President of the Federation of the Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the apex trade body of the country from 2008 to 2010.
He established his own business in 1986 and was the chairperson of nine export-oriented organisations under the trade name of ‘Mohammadi Group’.
Annisul hosted many interviews with politically significant personalities, including an interview with the current Prime Minister live on national television. He hosted interviews that have influenced national elections in forming government, such as the interview of four major political parties during election time.
He hosted high-level business discussion programmes on television in which he interviews both political and business personalities, including finance and commerce ministers.
His first namaz-e-janaza will be held at London’s Regent Park Mosque after Juma prayers on Friday.
His body will reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here around 11:20am on Saturday and later, he will be buried at Banani graveyard following another janaza at Army Stadium after Asr prayers on the day.
Annisul was diagnosed with cerebral vasculitis at a London neurology hospital after he was admitted to it on August 13. Later, he was taken to the intensive care unit of the hospital.
The DNCC mayor was shifted from the ICU to another hospital on October 31 for physiotherapy after his condition improved.
Annisul flew to London in the last week of July on personal tour. -UNB
