Recalling Annisul Huq in prayers and silence

Some memories are difficult to forget. Annisul Huq, late mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has left behind some charming memories which come back to us again and again. Annisul Huq is a brilliant example how dedication to duties can drive a person so much forward.

 Annisul Huq became a populist leader from the status of a businessman by means of his confidence and enthusiasm. He won a special spot in everyone's mind through his philanthropic, innovative and welfare activities. Annisul Huq's acceptability to all became vivid following his death. He was a reformist with incomparable courage, exhilaration, dynamism and vivacity.

Annisul Huq caught everyone's eyes by appearing on the television screen during 1980s. He gained a broad magnitude of popularity as a television anchor during 1980s to 1990s. Annisul Huq launched readymade garment business during 1980s. He founded his own business organization "Mohammadi Group" in 1986. Annisul Huq held the presidential post of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers Association (BGMEA) from 2005 to 2006.

 He was elected for the post of president, Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in 2007.  He held the post of president, SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 2010 to 2012. Annisul Huq created history by winning the mayoral polls of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in 2015.

Annisul Huq's rise to the post of mayor was an exceptional incident. His antiestablishment viewpoint was totally different from the conventional politics of Bangladesh. Annisul Huq brought about revolutionary changes in DNCC by speeding up development works in Dhaka city. During FBCCI election of 2007 Annisul Huq wanted me to contest the polls from his panel but I wanted to keep away from the polls. One night Annisul Huq along with Abu Alam Chowdhury and Shafiullah Chowdhury arrived at my home with pillows in their hands.

 I was surprised to see this. Annisul Huq said he and his other two companions would stay that night at my home. It was something like a strike. I was thus motivated to participate in the polls with Annisul Huq's panel. Annisul Huq's panel won the FBCCI election of 2007 by a broad margin. This is how intimacy between me and Annisul Huq deepened.

Displaying the spark of novelty was the most striking feature of Annisul Huq's character. He was a rare man who had the outstanding qualities of a widely popular television anchor, an efficient business leader, a decorated entrepreneur and a successful mayor. A smart and multidimensional man like Annisul Huq is hard to find. He was one of the most evergreen people I have ever seen. His patriotic attitude was admirable too.

Annisul Huq was a workaholic man. He came, he saw, he conquered-that is Annisul Huq's story in short. Annisul Huq took strong initiatives to protect businessmen while the army-backed caretaker government was in power during 2007-2008. Annisul Huq's unflinching endeavors and hardwork succeeded to clean up Dhaka city to a spectacular extent. He bravely evicted illegal truck stands from Tejgaon and showed tough determination while removing unauthorized settlements from some other parts of the city. Annisul Huq's mission was to modernize Dhaka city and to make this city more inhabitable for the people.

 His dynamic efforts reduced traffic jams on many roads across Dhaka city. Annisul Huq will remain memorable in the minds of people for ever for the challenging jobs he had accomplished nicely. Making Dhaka clean and green was Annisul Huq's main goal for which he had worked with utmost devotion. Annisul Huq eradicated corruption and irregularities in DNCC while he was mayor. He was the pioneer of an aesthetic city.

I have visited several countries with Annisul Huq while he was FBCCI president. He represented Bangladesh's business community boldly and convincingly to the authorities of different countries. Annisul Huq's contributions for the expansion of Bangladesh's business, cultural activities and his amazing roles as DNCC mayor will keep on inspiring us in days to come.

Annisul Huq has left behind a glorious legacy. We will have to complete the great works he had initiated for the betterment of Dhaka city. Annisul Huq had a magical touch to his actions and words.

 His ever smiling face, radiant look and impressive personality have etched deep marks on the hearts of people. Annisul Huq was buried on the day which marked the birth and death anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (SW). Pope Francis also visited Dhaka that day. It was a day inundated with the aura of peace.

Annisul Huq's creativity and unwavering firmness are lessons that we all should learn. The people of Dhaka city will be missing him forever. It sounds so painful when we remember that Annisul Huq is no more. I would like to make a few proposals to retain Annisul Huq's remembrances.

The major institutions of the country should preserve Annisul Huq's memories for the upcoming generations. A chair in Dhaka University may be dedicated to his name. The new FBCCI building may be renamed "Annisul Huq Trade Center." I pray to Almighty Allah to reward Annisul Huq for the immense services he has provided to the people of Dhaka city.


The writer is a former                                                                             ----------Abdul Haque
director of FBCCI